Defending champions Gujarat Titans secured their place in the IPL final for the second consecutive year with an impressive 62-run victory over Mumbai Indians in qualifier 2 of the 2023 edition. After winning the toss, Mumbai Indians opted to bowl first while Gujarat opener Shubman Gill unleashed an extraordinary onslaught. The 23-year-old displayed remarkable batting prowess, smashing his third century of the season and earning the Player of the Match award with a breathtaking 129 runs off just 60 deliveries.

Suresh Raina, the legendary Chennai Super Kings batsman, was left amazed by Gill’s exquisite strokeplay and showered praise on the young talent from Fazilka. Raina marveled at Gill’s composure in such a crucial match, emphasizing the importance of body language.

He particularly highlighted Gill’s ability to execute pick-up shots, including a spectacular six off Kartikeya. Raina expressed his admiration for Gill’s confidence and self-belief, predicting that he has the potential to excel in high-pressure encounters, much like the stalwarts of Indian cricket.

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Gujarat Titans earned the opportunity to defend their title against the formidable Chennai Super Kings in their home ground following their elimination victory over Mumbai Indians. Having claimed the IPL trophy in their inaugural season last year, the team has once again displayed an exceptional performance this season. Anil Kumble, the iconic Indian spinner, applauded the efforts of the team management and coach Ashish Nehra for seamlessly continuing their success from the previous year.

Kumble commended Gujarat Titans for maintaining their winning momentum from the previous season and praised the addition of new players, such as Josh Little and Noor Ahmed, who have contributed significantly to the team’s success. He also acknowledged the impact of player rule and the valuable contributions of Sai Sudarshan and Vijay Shankar in their respective roles.

While Mohit Sharma’s exceptional five-wicket haul was crucial, Kumble highlighted that the dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav was the pivotal moment in the match. Gujarat Titans restricted Mumbai Indians to a total of 171 runs in 18.2 overs, thanks to Mohit Sharma’s remarkable bowling performance.

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Sharma’s figures of 5 wickets for just 10 runs in 2.2 overs left everyone in awe, including Pathiv Patel, who described it as one of the finest comebacks he has witnessed. Patel highlighted the significance of Sharma’s comeback, as he was a net bowler for the team last year, and being selected this year was a remarkable achievement. Patel emphasized that Sharma’s name should be included among the inspiring comeback stories of the season.