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GTvMI: Rohit brilliance, HP blitz, but MI fall millimeters short - As it happened

By Mumbai Indians

Until then, don't stop supporting our boys in Blue and Gold. It's just the start. We keep moving forward. 

Paltan, this result hurts. This loss also means we are still winless in every starting game of an IPL campaign since 2013. Don't worry Paltan, all our five IPL trophies have come in years when we've lost the first game of the season. We have 13 more games to go, and opportunities to turn this false start into something great.

Captain Hardik's assessment of the game

"Obviously, we backed ourselves to chase those 42 runs [in the last five overs], but it was one of those days where we scored relatively less and lost momentum."

11:20 PM: Defeat in Ahmedabad

Hardik Pandya started the final over with a six and a four - elevating the suspense in this pulsating encounter. However, Umesh Yadav got him out, Piyush Chawla out and defended six runs to give Gujarat a win. 

11:12 PM: 19 in 6 balls.

Tim David (11), Tilak Varma (25) and Gerald Coetzee (1) depart within the end of the 18th over and the start of the 19th over. But patience Paltan, captain Hardik Pandya has come onto the field. Keep praying and keep your special chants.

10:55 PM: 40 in 25 balls.

Dewald Brevis entered the innings as an impact player, and the Proteas talent ably contributed to the cause. He faced 38 balls, and scored 46 - with four boundaries and three maximums to the cause. 

10:31 PM: Brevis, Rohit in cruise mode until........

Rohit Sharma (43) and Dewald Brevis (42) stitched a valuable 77-run partnership for the third wicket, until the Hitman was dismissed LBW by Sai Kishore.

10 PM: 50... crossed

Two early hiccups, but Mumbai Indians are back in the run chase. Rohit Sharma (24* off 14 balls) and Naman Dhir (20 runs off 10 balls) got the momentum back for the visitors. *Fingers crossed*

Also, that ends the powerplay.

Our first substitution of the season

JAS A TERRIFIC TALENT

9:16 PM: INTERMISSION

The latest duel of the Gujarat-Mumbai rivalry saw its first half draw to a close. Jasprit Bumrah (3/14) and Gerald Coetzee (2/27) ensured that the hosts didn't have their way on a wicket that promised a run-fest.

Now, a short breather and the boys in Blue and Gold will step out to chase 169 runs in 20 overs.

8:55 PM: W-1-W-0-0-1

Jasprit Bumrah, that's it. Bowling his third over, the talismanic bowler pitched tight and precise lines to keep the Gujarat Titans' batters in check. The result? Two wickets in the space of three balls. INSANE STUFF this. 

Picture perfect

8:26 PM: ANDDD THE THIRDDDDD WICKET! Any guesses which bowler took it?

It's the 'Karate Kid'. A 145.8kph cross-seam delivery, Azmatullah Omarzai lofts into the sky, Tilak Varma collects it at deep square leg and Gerald Coetzee ROARS.

DID ANYONE SEE THIS COMING?

8:08 PM: WICKET!!!!!!!! Shubman Gill - caught by Rohit Sharma, bowled by Piyush Chawla

Professor Piyush bowls a googly, invites Gill to smash it towards long-on. But wait! There is Rohit Sharma waiting and the Hitman doesn't make a mistake in claiming the catch.

8:00 PM: POWERPLAY ROUND-UP:- Hardik opted to use five different bowlers, including himself, in the initial overs. Gujarat got off to a decent start but they encountered a hurricane named Jasprit Bumrah, who finished with figures of 1-0-4-1 from his opening over.

Fans verdict

You knew it was coming, right Paltan?

 
 
 
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7:50 PM: BOOOOOOM! The first wicket

How much did we miss this? A Bumrah run-up, A Bumrah Yorker, A Bumrah delivery hitting the middle stump and the Bumrah celebration. *Chef's kiss*

Wriddhiman Saha was totally defenseless and MI get their first wicket in the bag.

Meet our Fantastic Four!

7:05 PM: Hardik Pandya stepped out for the first time as the Mumbai Indians captain. Curious about what he said? And want to stay updated on what he speaks throughout IPL 2024? Bookmark this link.

Your first Playing XI of Mission 2024

7:00 PM: TOSS UPDATE: Win the toss. Bowl first

6:55 PM: The pitch report? The legendary Ian Bishop reckons it is a 'beautiful playing surface'.

What to expect from the boys tonight?

 
 
 
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Paltan, this is your checkpoint for all updates on this tantalizing contest. Flood the comments and let us know - How is the josh? Are you feeling excited? Which player you are supporting? And everything that let's us know you are with us and near us in this battle.

Amidst the nerves that players and fans alike are experiencing ahead of the game, one specific MI star - who has been grabbing the headlines for his exploits at the domestic and national level - provided the Paltan some optimism to look forward to this season. Any guesses who the player is? Hint: We fondly called him TV.

A new season, a fresh squad, a renewed commitment to win but the same MI mentality - DUNIYA HILA DENGE; this is what the Blue and Gold brings to the table at Ahmedabad. So, what is our agenda? Settle scores for the 2023 Qualifier 2 heartbreak.

6:30 PM: कसं काय मुंबई? Welcome to the MI live blog for Mumbai Indians' first assignment of the Tata IPL 2024 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium.