In a recent interview, Mohit Sharma recounted one of the most intense moments from IPL 2024 during a nail-biting encounter between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The game was a high-pressure affair, highlighted by Shubman Gill’s incredible innings of 120 off just 60 balls, propelling GT to a formidable total of 233.
As the Mumbai Indians began their daunting chase, the spotlight was on Suryakumar Yadav, who was expected to deliver a match-winning performance. With two early wickets falling for just 21 runs, the responsibility fell heavily on Suryakumar’s shoulders. True to his reputation, he launched a thrilling counter-attack, quickly notching up a half-century and bringing MI back into contention.
Alongside Tilak Varma, Suryakumar looked unstoppable, and the GT camp grew increasingly anxious as the duo seemed poised to pull off a miraculous chase. Mohit Sharma, recalling that crucial phase, admitted that GT felt the game slipping away. Suryakumar’s aggressive play left GT’s bowlers searching for answers as every strategy appeared futile against the in-form batter.
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“At that moment, we all thought we had lost the game,” Mohit Sharma confessed, watching from the field as Suryakumar continued to dismantle the GT bowling attack.
In a desperate move to regain control, GT captain Hardik Pandya turned to Mohit Sharma after the 10th over. Known for his calmness and precision under pressure, Mohit was tasked with neutralizing Suryakumar, a task that seemed almost impossible given the batter’s devastating form. Despite the immense pressure, Mohit managed to keep his composure, relying on his experience and skill to execute a series of crucial deliveries.
On his first ball, Suryakumar sent the ball flying for a massive 90-meter six over mid-wicket. But Mohit remained unfazed. “You can’t really plan against Surya,” Mohit Sharma explained on the ‘2 Sloggers’ podcast. “He will dismantle any strategy in one over. I had a clear plan in my mind, but I knew it could go wrong very quickly.”
Sticking to his plan, Mohit pitched the next delivery right up, inducing a misjudged paddle scoop from Suryakumar. The ball hit the top of the bat and ballooned in the air, leading to a straightforward catch.
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As the GT players erupted in celebration, Mohit Sharma recalled telling his teammates, “We were just lucky. It wasn’t the plan that worked; it was sheer luck.”
This dismissal proved to be the turning point of the game. Mohit’s impeccable bowling under pressure helped GT secure a stunning victory, leaving MI stunned. Despite the win, Mohit humbly credited the dismissal to fortune rather than strategy, acknowledging the unpredictable brilliance of a player like Suryakumar Yadav.
