Gujarat Titans Dominate Mumbai Indians with Smart Bowling Tactics
Mumbai Indians’ experienced pacer Trent Boult admitted that Gujarat Titans (GT) effectively utilized the black soil pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium, restricting MI’s batters by taking pace off the ball. GT secured a 36-run victory in their IPL 2025 clash after setting a total of 196/8 on Saturday, with the expected dew not playing a role in the game.
Boult Acknowledges Opponent’s Strategy
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Boult praised GT’s game plan. “Good tactics from the opposition. If you have those options, it makes sense, but we won’t use it as an excuse,” he stated. “Our players have experience playing on different surfaces across the country. Tonight was just an off-game. GT fought hard for a good total and showed us the right way to bowl on this pitch. Credit to them,” he added.
Black Soil Pitch Played a Role but No Excuses
The match was played on a black soil pitch instead of the usual red soil. However, Boult refused to blame the surface for MI’s defeat. “It was just good use of home advantage. The home team should have an edge, but again, no excuses. We knew it was a black soil wicket, and we just didn’t adapt well enough,” he admitted.
MI’s Struggle in the Run Chase
Chasing 197, Mumbai Indians could only manage 160/6 in their 20 overs. Boult pinpointed where things went wrong: “They scored 36 more runs than us, simple as that. We could have been one or two percent better. They took the pace off the ball, forcing us into big shots under scoreboard pressure. That’s smart cricket.”
Fielding Concerns for MI
MI’s fielding also did not meet their usual standards. Boult stressed its importance: “Fielding is something that can never be excused. We were a bit off today—missing a catch at the boundary, failing to save a few runs. That’s potentially 20 or 30 runs right there. Time to move on and improve.”
Match Summary
| Match | Winner | Margin | GT’s Total | MI’s Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GT vs MI | Gujarat Titans | 36 runs | 196/8 | 160/6 |
Despite the loss, MI will look to bounce back in their upcoming matches, ensuring better adaptability and fielding efforts.