- June 1, 2025
IPL fans have learned one thing over the years: Do not discount the Mumbai Indians. Just like the last boss of a video game who refuses to die, the MI have made it into the playoffs again, and now, they are headed to Qualifier 2 like a freight train. After defeating Gujarat Titans in a ruthless display, the question is, is MI once again peaking at the right time, and is Qualifier 2 already in their favour? Let’s discuss.
Dropped Hopes: How Gujarat’s Fielding Let the Game Slip
Let us start with the most glaring turning point: the fielding of the Gujarat Titans. You could say that this match was lost well before the last over, and it had much to do with their catching. As one analyst put it plainly, “If fielders don’t care for the bowler, it is very hard for bowlers to make an impact.” Gujarat Titans had chances, but especially at the start, there were opportunities when Mumbai’s hitters were getting comfortable and doing plenty of hay for the bowlers. Those missed chances gave MI hitters—most notably Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and Naman Dhir—the freedom to swing, and they ended up hitting 17 sixes. This is not just a numerical statistic, it is a declaration.
Gujarat’s bowlers did their part, but with fielders not supporting them, it was like entering a gunfight with rubber bullets. MI not only made Gujarat pay for those errors, but they made them pay like champs. We knew from the outset of the game that to win critical matches like this, you have to be excellent on both sides of the ball—all that is required is for one team to be.
Jasprit Bumrah: The Bowler Who Breaks the Game
Each team has its MVP, but MI has a secret weapon that defies logic, Jasprit Bumrah. Call him what you want—an X-factor, a future bowling robot, or simply “Cheat Code Bumrah,” as the panel dubbed him. Against this backdrop of a high-scoring game, with bowlers being carted around the park like net practice, Bumrah stood out like a lighthouse on a stormy day.
His lines were tight, a masterclass in the death overs, and his presence on the field changed everything. One expert perfectly articulated this: if you take Bumrah out of the MI team, they are not competing. Bumrah is not just bowling economically; Bumrah is dominating moments across the full pitch. And this is what separates participants and challengers from champions. Against Punjab or whoever they get in Qualifier 2, Bumrah is the bowler that everybody will be terrified of. And rightly so.
The MI Aura: Momentum, Confidence, and Killer Instinct
MI has that indefinable thing when they hit their stride. Maybe it’s swagger or maybe it’s faith—but whatever it is, it is contagious. The commentators didn’t shy away from the fact when asked who the favourite team for Qualifier 2 was. Every one of them said it- MI. And why not? This is a team that loves the pressure, has a rock-solid core, and now a middle order that is finally firing.
While their batting order may not be powerful in every match, MI has a dangerous depth of talent. Young players like Tilak Varma and the unassuming Naman Dhir are coming through, Hardik is showing some old brilliance, and the team in general is fusing youth and experience better than most teams out there.
If there is one thing history has taught us about MI, it is not to go against them when the title is in the air. But then again, this is cricket – could Punjab steal a win, or did we just see another MI playoff run emergence? Let us know in the comments section.
For more, visit JeetBuzz News to read our quality Cricket Blog updates. Explore if you want to reminisce and enjoy all of your favourite cricket players and nostalgic match moments. To ensure that you never miss out, keep updated and join in the fun!
