Prasidh Krishna’s Stunning Comeback Spells Victory for Gujarat Titans Against Mumbai Indians
Gujarat Titans secured a commanding victory over Mumbai Indians at Ahmedabad in IPL 2025, thanks to a masterful bowling performance by Prasidh Krishna and a shrewd pitch strategy. Returning from a long injury layoff, Krishna proved instrumental in stifling the Mumbai Indians’ chase of 197.
Krishna, playing his second game back in the IPL since 2022, entered the attack in the 10th over with Mumbai Indians comfortably placed at 97 for 2. His impactful spell changed the course of the match. Despite the extended break from competitive T20 cricket, Krishna exhibited composure and exploited the conditions to perfection. He dismissed the dangerous duo of Suryakumar Yadav (48 off 28) and Tilak Varma (39 off 36), finishing his four overs with an impressive economy rate, conceding only 18 runs.
“I was itching to bowl,” a jubilant Krishna stated in the post-match presentation. “I was just thinking I haven’t really waited so long in a game, in a T20 game, before bowling, but everything paid off.” He further elaborated on his tactical approach, explaining how he utilized the pitch conditions to his advantage. “We could kind of read that cutters into the wicket and balls into the wicket were doing well. I just kept things simple and focused on the length. Knowing the scoreboard situation, I knew that every over was crucial.”
Gujarat Titans’ captain, Shubman Gill, lauded Krishna’s match-winning contribution, highlighting the significance of his performance under pressure. “He did more than pretty well,” Gill commented in the post-match press conference. “He did a pretty amazing job for us to be able to come in like that in a pressure situation and change the game with the way he bowled.”
The Gujarat Titans’ decision to opt for a black-soil pitch at their home ground played a crucial role in their victory. Unlike the more common red-soil pitches, black-soil pitches offer slower pace and lower bounce, favoring spinners and cutters. This tactical decision, according to Gill, was aligned with the team’s strengths. “This kind of wicket suits our batting and bowling more than the red-soil pitch. We want to ensure there is something in it for the bowlers, so it’s an equal game. If we have high-scoring games with scores like 240 to 250, the skill of cricket tends to get overshadowed,” Gill explained.
Mumbai Indians’ fast bowler, Trent Boult, acknowledged Gujarat’s astute use of home advantage, stating, “Obviously there’s a difference between black and red soil. But credit to Gujarat, they showed us how to bowl on that wicket.” While acknowledging the difference in pitch conditions, Boult emphasized the experience of the Mumbai Indians squad in adapting to different playing surfaces.
The combination of the strategically chosen black-soil pitch and Prasidh Krishna’s exceptional bowling display proved too much for Mumbai Indians to overcome. Gujarat Titans’ victory underscores the importance of tactical planning and leveraging home conditions in the fiercely competitive IPL landscape.
