IPL 2023: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans, Match 57 - Talking Points and Who Said What?

The 57th game of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 featured a clash between the five-time champions Mumbai Indians and the Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday, May 12.

Suryakumar Yadav’s fantastic ton helped Mumbai Indians post 218 runs on the board, despite Rashid Khan’s brilliant spell with the ball, where he took four wickets to claim the purple cap. The Afghanistan star followed it up with an explosive knock during the run chase as well which, however, proved to be in vain, as Mumbai Indians won the game by 27 runs.

Here are the Talking Points from the MI vs GT clash-

Suryakumar Yadav’s masterclass

Star Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav was sensational for Mumbai Indians in the first innings of the match. The 32-year-old scored a fabulous century, amassing 103* runs in 49 balls. Suryakumar’s century was crucial for the five-time champions, helping them notch up 218 runs on the board for Gujarat to chase. Surya's innings included 11 fours and six sixes. 

Rashid Khan’s all-round class

Rashid Khan was arguably the best player for Gujarat Titans during the clash between the two high-profile teams. Taking four wickets and conceding 30 runs in four overs in the first innings, Rashid followed it up with an explosive knock during the run chase as well. The 24-year-old played a fabulous innings down the order, amassing 79* runs in just 32 deliveries. His performance helped the defending champions reduce the losing margin.

Akash Madhwal’s impact

29-year-old Akash Madhwal came in as an impact player for Mumbai in the second innings. The Indian pacer surely made a big impact on the game, taking three wickets and conceding 31 runs in the four overs he bowled. He dismissed Wriddhiman Saha, Shubman Gill and David Miller to dismantle the batting attack of Gujarat. 

Losing skipper, Hardik Pandya said:

Felt like from our team only he (Rashid) turned up. The way he batted, the way he bowled, it was tremendous. Don't have to try much (after this result). As a group we weren't there. In bowling also we were very flat. Didn't have clear plans or didn't execute. Wicket was very flat but I felt we gave 25 runs extra. Have spoken enough about him (Surya). One of the best batters in T20 cricket. You saw what can happen if you don't execute your plans. For me it's very important that as a bowler you are clear. I can only set the fields. Losing five wickets and then scoring 129 in the last 10 overs (MI innings). We lacked a lot of execution and heart. That cost us the game. Intensity was also flat. Expected things to happen, but everyone knows at this level it doesn't just happen.

Winning skipper, Rohit Sharma said:

It was an interesting game especially from our point of view, happy to get the two points. That was pleasing, bat first and then come out and defend the total. We kept picking wickets and in this format you have to do that, great bowling effort from our bowlers. The guy has got the confidence. We wanted to keep right-left combination but SKY came in and said no, he wanted to go in. That is the kind of confidence he has and that rubs off on others. Every game he wants to start fresh and does not look back at the previous game. Sometimes you can sit back and feel proud but that is not the case with him.

Player of the Match, Suryakumar Yadav said:

Can say that (was one of my best T20 knocks). Whenever I get runs I think the team should win, most importantly we batted first today and said that we would keep the same tempo when you are chasing 200-220. There was a lot of dew on the ground, it was there from the 7-8th over and I knew what shots to play, I was not thinking about hitting straight, I had two shots in the mind - one over fine leg and one over third man. There is lots and lots of practice before the game, so when I come into the game I am very clear and just go express myself.