The IPL 2025 Eliminator on Friday promises a high-stakes clash, where Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans will lock horns in a winner-takes-all battle. While it is a knockout game, both sides are no strangers to high-pressure encounters.

Mumbai, with five IPL titles, are seasoned campaigners, whereas Gujarat Titans have swiftly established themselves as contenders, reaching the playoffs three times in four seasons, including a championship win in their debut year, 2022.

At the heart of this crucial match are two captains, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya, both with significant stakes. Gill, recently appointed India’s Test captain, has an opportunity to enhance his leadership credentials by steering GT deep into the playoffs. For Hardik, the 2025 season has been a redemptive arc. After facing jeers during his return to MI in 2024, he has since regained the affection of the Wankhede faithful. Guiding MI to an IPL title would not only affirm his legacy but also place him among the franchise’s all-time greats.