Why Hardik Pandya Used Jasprit Bumrah Early in IPL 2025 Eliminator Win

The 2025 IPL Eliminator between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT) was a high-stakes match, and MI captain Hardik Pandya made some bold decisions to keep his team alive in the tournament. One of the most talked-about moves was his choice to bowl out ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah early in the innings — and now, Pandya has revealed exactly why he made that call.

MI won the match by 20 runs at Mullanpur on Friday, earning a spot in Qualifier 2, where they’ll take on Punjab Kings for a shot at the IPL 2025 final.

Let’s break down the thinking behind Pandya’s tactics, how Bumrah performed, and what’s coming next for MI.

A Tactical Call: Bumrah Used Early

In most T20 matches, captains prefer to hold back a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah for the death overs, where his calm under pressure and pinpoint yorkers are priceless. But on Friday, Pandya decided to break the mold.

Bumrah was brought into the attack in just the second over of the GT innings and ended up bowling his final over as early as the 18th.

Hardik’s reason? It was all about reading the flow of the game.

“It’s very simple. Whenever you think the game is going away, just bring him (Bumrah),” Hardik explained during the post-match presentation. “When you have that, it’s a luxury. It’s like Mumbai housing prices — he’s that expensive!”

He continued by saying that he was closely watching the scoreboard and wanted to ensure that MI had some cushion in the final overs. By using Bumrah earlier, Pandya felt he could slow down the GT innings when it mattered most.

“It was important that Jassi comes and bowls that over so that the margin becomes longer,” he added, referring to the 18th over.

Bumrah’s Performance: Economical as Ever

Though he only picked up one wicket — dismissing Washington Sundar in the 14th over — Bumrah’s impact went far beyond the wickets column. He bowled four overs, conceded just 27 runs, and gave away only three boundaries (two fours and a six).

In a high-pressure knockout match, where MI was defending a hefty total of 228, every dot ball and tight over made a difference. Bumrah’s precision and consistency helped keep GT’s scoring rate in check and ensured that the game never slipped out of MI’s grasp.

At 31, Bumrah continues to show why he’s one of the most reliable bowlers in world cricket. His IPL 2025 stats so far are impressive too — 18 wickets from 11 matches. That’s especially commendable considering he missed the start of the season due to a back spasm he sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January.

MI Marches On: Punjab Kings Up Next

Thanks to their victory over Gujarat Titans, MI will now face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2. The match is scheduled for Sunday in Ahmedabad. The winner of this clash will go on to meet Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 Final, which takes place on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Punjab Kings will be looking to bounce back after their recent eight-wicket loss to RCB. On the other hand, MI, under Pandya’s leadership, seems to be hitting form at the right time.

With players like Bumrah in top form and Pandya showing sharp tactical acumen, MI will be a tough side to beat. If they can keep up the momentum, a record-extending IPL title might just be within reach.

Bonus Drama: A Heated Moment Between Gill and Pandya?

Off the field (and briefly on it), another talking point from the Eliminator was a potential ego clash between Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya. A video showing the two exchanging words quickly went viral, sparking discussions among fans and pundits alike. While no official comment has been made, moments like these only add to the intensity and drama of the IPL playoffs.

Jasprit Bumrah: The Backbone of MI’s Bowling Attack

Whether he’s opening the bowling or closing out the innings, Jasprit Bumrah continues to be MI’s go-to bowler. This season, he’s come back from injury stronger than ever, delivering match-winning performances and helping his team navigate crunch moments.

For fans and aspiring cricketers, his discipline and mental strength are worth admiring — especially in a format where bowlers are often under relentless pressure.

Hardik Pandya’s decision to bowl Bumrah early wasn’t just a gamble — it was a calculated move based on experience, game awareness, and trust in a world-class bowler. As MI gets ready to face Punjab Kings, they’ll hope that their star performers continue to rise to the occasion.

The road to the IPL 2025 Final is heating up, and if Friday’s match was any indication, fans are in for a thrilling ride.