GT took advantage of the poor soil pitch, defeated MI by 36 runs!|
Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by 36 runs at their home ground Narendra Modi Stadium. Assistant coach Parthiv Patel also demanded a black soil pitch as part of his strategy, which caused problems for MI’s stroke players.
Black soil pitch changed the flow of the match
GT knowingly chose a black soil track, which is slow and the ball comes late on the ball. MI players were used to the fast red soil pitches of Wankhede Stadium, which makes stroke play easy. But the pitch here made their work difficult.
In the first match, GT played against Punjab Kings on a red soil pitch in which 475 runs were scored and GT lost. This time they used a slow black soil pitch which went against MI’s style.
GT made a strong total in batting
GT’s Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan gave a good start and made an opening partnership of 78 runs. After that the middle order built a strong score. MI’s Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar did not get early breakthroughs.
Prasidh Krishna turned the match around!
GT’s bowlers entangled MI’s batsmen in a tight spot. pasidh Krishna was the best bowler, he took 2 wickets giving away just 18 runs and did not give a single boundary in the first 3 overs! Other bowlers of GT were also tremendous:
Mohammed Siraj got Rohit Sharma out in the first over itself
Ishant Sharma gave away just 2 runs in the PowerPlay!
Kagiso Rabada also kept MI’s middle order under control.
Secret to defeat MI – Black Soil Pitch!
GT’s victory did not come only due to bowling, but also due to smart home strategy. Shubman Gill had already decided that the second match will be played on a black soil pitch, so that his team gets help. There were cracks on the pitch and the ball was coming in a curve, which was best for GT’s bowlers.
MI’s Trent Boult also praised GT’s smartness but he also admitted that his team cannot make an excuse for this pitch.
GT’s tactics worked!
GT established its hold on the match right from the first ball and used the strategy correctly to defeat MI. This win is important for GT and it shows how to use home conditions correctly!
