MI’s smart bowling on a sluggish pitch earns them back-to-back wins

MI’s Bowling Brilliance on Sluggish Wankhede Pitch Secures Third Win

Mumbai Indians (MI) made the most of winning the toss on a rare slow surface at the Wankhede Stadium, restricting Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to 162 for 5 before chasing it down with ease to notch up their third win of IPL 2025. The six-wicket victory — with 11 balls to spare — was powered by clever bowling tactics, helpful conditions, and a well-rounded batting effort.

Will Jacks Stars with Bat and Ball

Will Jacks, after a quiet start to the season, was MI's standout performer. His 26-ball 36 helped steady the chase, but it was his offspin — used expertly against SRH’s left-handed top three — that turned the game. Jacks finished with 2 for 14 in three overs, allowing MI to delay their Impact Player substitution. When legspinner Karn Sharma — the previous game’s Player of the Match — was injured before bowling a ball, MI were able to bring Rohit Sharma in for the chase instead.

Rohit’s brisk cameo at the top, along with contributions from Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya, ensured MI were always ahead in the chase.

Bowling Sets It Up

While MI’s batters did their job, the game was effectively won with the ball. Jasprit Bumrah was his usual masterful self, conceding just 10 runs in his powerplay overs and bowling the match-defining 19th over for only four runs. The rest of the pace attack executed their plans with slower balls and yorkers, taking full advantage of a surface where hitting down the ground was tough.

Despite a 59-run opening stand, SRH couldn’t gain momentum. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma both had early lives and struggled with timing. Head, in particular, laboured to 28 off 29 before falling to Jacks in the 12th over. Heinrich Klaasen and Aniket Verma gave SRH a late push with some clean hitting in the final overs, but 162 still felt under par.

Powerplay Struggles and Missed Fluency

SRH managed just 46 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket, but the slow pitch and tight bowling limited their ability to accelerate. Abhishek was the more fluent of the openers, scoring 40 off 27 before falling to Hardik. Head’s difficult innings reflected the tough batting conditions, while fortune continued to favour SRH — including a no-ball reprieve for Head on 24.

Klaasen and Aniket’s late surge helped SRH score 47 off the final three overs, but even that was inflated by full tosses from a dew-affected ball. Still, Bumrah dismissed Klaasen with an unplayable full-toss, reaffirming his death-over prowess.

MI Chase Down Target Comfortably

Rohit gave MI a flying start with a quick 20, including two signature pulled sixes. Rickelton took time to settle, found rhythm with three consecutive fours, and got lucky with a no-ball reprieve due to a wicketkeeping error. He was eventually dismissed for 27.

Jacks and Suryakumar Yadav took control from there, adding 52 off just 29 balls. They targeted legspinners Zeeshan Ansari and Rahul Chahar, punishing anything loose despite the grip on offer.

Though Malinga pulled things back briefly with two wickets in the 18th over, Hardik ensured there were no late nerves. His powerful 18* off 8, including a stunning long-on punch off Cummins, sealed the game at the start of the 19th over.

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