Gujarat Titans clinch last-ball win against Mumbai Indians

KATHMANDU: In what could easily be described as the most dramatic game of this IPL season, Gujarat Titans edged past Mumbai Indians by three wickets in a rain-affected, nerve-wracking encounter on Tuesday night to claim the top spot on the points table.

The match, held at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, was repeatedly interrupted by rain and eventually reduced to 19 overs per side. Chasing a revised target of 156, Gujarat completed the win on the very last delivery, scoring 147 for 7.

Arshad Khan took a single off the final ball to seal a nail-biting victory.

At the 14-over mark, Gujarat were cruising at 107 for 2 and ahead by 8 runs on the DLS method when rain halted play. But after resumption, the momentum shifted dramatically in Mumbai’s favor.

Mumbai’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah removed Gujarat captain Shubman Gill for 43 in the 15th over, triggering a mini-collapse. Trent Boult dismissed Rutherford in the 16th, while Bumrah and Ashwin Kumar struck again in the 17th and 18th overs respectively, sending Shahrukh Khan and Rashid Khan back to the pavilion.

However, due to Mumbai’s slow over rate, they were allowed only four fielders outside the circle in the final over—a penalty that proved costly.

Gujarat capitalized with crucial boundaries: Rahul Tewatia hit a four, and Coetzee smashed a six off Deepak Chahar’s bowling. After a dramatic sequence that included a no-ball, Arshad Khan held his nerve to take the winning run off the last ball.

Gill anchored the innings with 43 off 46 balls, supported by Rutherford (28 off 15), Jos Buttler (30 off 27), and Coetzee (12 off 6).

For Mumbai, Bumrah stood out with impressive figures of 2 for 19 in four overs. Boult and Ashwin also picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, after losing the toss, Mumbai posted 155 for 8 in their 19 overs. Will Jacks top-scored with 63 off 35, while Suryakumar Yadav (27 off 24) and Carbyn Bosch (27 off 22) provided handy contributions.

Gujarat’s Sai Kishore was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets.

With this thrilling win, Gujarat Titans now lead the standings with 16 points from 11 games.

Mumbai Indians, despite a strong comeback in recent matches with six straight wins, remain in fourth place with 14 points from 12 games.