GTvMI: A winning start for Gujarat Titans in TATA IPL 2024 season opener

It’s a record that we have worked hard to maintain over the past two seasons - Gujarat Titans claiming a win in our first match of the season. On Sunday, we extended that streak to three seasons with a 6-run win over Mumbai Indians.  

Shubman Gill began his journey as captain with a win that personified the ethos on which our team stands. He led from the front and showcased an excellent display of leadership throughout the match, announcing that the Shubman Gill era had truly begun! 

While Gill (31) and Sai Sudharsan (45) stood tall against an imposing Mumbai bowling unit, debutants Azmatullah Omarzai (2/27), Spencer Johnson (2/25), Umesh Yadav (2/27) and the experienced Mohit Sharma (2/32) took us home. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Having put into bat, our Titans were quick to get off the blocks with Wriddhiman Saha sending the visiting skipper, Hardik Pandya, for a boundary of the first ball of the match. While his picturesque boundary made every fan go su vaat che, Wriddhi bhai; it also set the tone for what was to come. 

Though Saha had to return soon, Captain Gill took the fight to the opposition with Sai Sudharsan contributing ably. Our skipper’s delightful strokeplay was matched by some smart batting from Sudharsan as the two stitched together a fine partnership that tested Mumbai on all fronts. 

The acceleration, however, proved a bit tricky as Gill was dismissed to Piyush Chawla’s guile. But Sudharsan, along with Omarzai, ensured that we stayed on course. 

While the 22-year-old Sudharsan was cautious about the visitors’ quality, he didn’t spare any opportunity to punish the loose ones, resulting in a well-timed 45. Rahul Tewatia too left his mark with a 15-ball 22 as we put up 168 runs on the board.

Omarzai’s birthday bash!

Defending a fighting total, we needed a perfect start. And birthday boy Omarzai was up for the task. 

Running in for his maiden TATA IPL spell, the Afghan all-rounder sent Ishan Kishan packing in the opening over before trapping Naman Dhir leg before in his next delivery. 

But the early wickets did not bother Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis as the two put together a 77-run stand to keep the Mumbai Indians in the hunt. They looked comfortable and went about their business with relative ease while our bowlers tried to keep them at bay. 

The persistence eventually paid off with Sai Kishore outfoxing Sharma leg-before while Mohit Sharma latched on to a return catch to send Brevis back to the hut.

The wickets all but opened the floodgates for Mumbai as some tight bowling from Rashid Khan put the visitors under immense pressure. Spencer Johnson and Umesh Yadav then tormented the batters with their variations to bag the W.

This win means our Titans FAM will surely extend our celebrations into the Holi festivities tomorrow.

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