Twitter Reactions: Mohit Sharma’s spectacular five-for seals Gujarat Titans’ IPL 2023 final spot

Gujarat Titans sealed their spot in the final of the IPL for a second season running after brushing aside five-time champions Mumbai Indians in a run-fest at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Shubman Gill’s breathtaking third IPL century in the first innings, coupled with Mohit Sharma’s clutch bowling performance in the second, laid the foundation for a momentous victory.

Mumbai Indians needed to scale a record-breaking total if they wanted to join arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings in the final of IPL 2023. However, make-shift opener Nehal Wadhera was dismissed by Mohammed Shami in the very first over of the chase.

The five-time champions suffered another huge blow after Shami dismissed Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma in his next over. Despite those two quick wickets, the visitors kept up with the asking rate, thanks to Tilak Verma’s blistering 43 off just 14 deliveries.

The home side breathe a huge sigh of relief after the youngster was cleaned up by Afghan wizard Rashid Khan. However, Mumbai launched another assault on the defending champions after Cameron Green and Suryakumar Yadav joined hands in the middle. 

While the hard-hitting Aussie departed after a brisk cameo, it was up to Suryakumar Yadav to guide his side home in a daunting chase. The Indian batting sensation was threatening to take his side close to the target on his own before Mohit Sharma pulled the curtains on his onslaught in his very first over of the match.

Mumbai’s charge fizzled out after SKY’s departure as Mohit ran riot with the ball in a sensational spell, returning with astonishing figures of 5/10, the second-best in the history of the playoffs. The veteran Indian pacer needed just 14 deliveries to derail Mumbai’s chase as Gujarat Titans joined CSK in the IPL 2023 final.

Shubman Gill’s carnage helps Gujarat Titans to a record-breaking total

Hardik Pandya’s men were put into bat first after visiting skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss in the high-profile encounter in Ahmedabad. Gujarat’s openers, Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill, were watchful in the initial overs as there was some zip for the pacers after a brief shower in the evening. 

Following a sedated few overs, Gill put his foot on the accelerator, despite losing Saha in the first over after the powerplay. The young Indian opener took a liking to Mumbai’s veteran spinner Piyush Chawla, dispatching him for a flurry of boundaries. Last match’s hero Akash Madhwal was also put to the sword as Gill smoked him for three maximums in an over.

The 23-year-old batter sent the record books tumbling after registering his third century in his last four IPL innings, becoming the youngest batter to smash a century in playoffs history. He provided the impetus to the innings after registering the highest individual score for GT in IPL history. 

Following Gill’s departure, GT skipper Hardik Pandya finished off the innings on a high, smashing Chris Jordan for a boundary and a six to take his side to their highest-ever IPL total. It was also the highest score registered in the playoffs.