In a high-stakes IPL 2025 Eliminator clash between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, one of the game’s most electric moments unfolded in the 8th over of Mumbai's innings.
Jonny Bairstow, who had been on a rampage with the bat, was in sublime touch, racing to 47 off just 22 balls, punishing anything short, full, or wide. In an attempt to further accelerate the scoring, the Englishman went for a reverse sweep against Gujarat Titans' left-arm spinner Sai Kishore.
While Bairstow connected well, the stroke wasn’t as lofted as he’d have liked — the ball flew off the bat flatter and wider of backward point. That’s when Sai Sudharsan produced a moment of brilliance. Leaping full stretch to his left, he got a hand on the ball mid-air, goalkeeper-style, and the ball popped up toward the short third man.
Enter Gerald Coetzee, who showed sharp awareness and safe hands as he darted in from short third and completed the catch, sending Bairstow back to the dugout — much to the delight of the Titans' camp.
Bairstow’s fiery innings gave Mumbai a much-needed boost in the powerplay, but his dismissal marked a turning point that shifted momentum back toward Gujarat.
Mumbai Indians win toss and Hardik Pandya opts to bat first
Meanwhile, the toss went in favour of the Mumbai Indians and Hardik Pandya opted to bat first. With Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks returning home for international duty, Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson made their debuts for the Mumbai Indians. Additionally, Raj Angad Bawa replaced the injured Deepak Chahar.
The Titans triggered two changes to their XI, bringing in Kusal Mendis for Jos Buttler and Washington Sundar for Arshad Khan.
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Richard Gleeson.
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Kusal Mendis(w), Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
