Mumbai Indians (MI) opener Jonny Bairstow performed admirably in the team’s IPL 2025 Eliminator match against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Friday, May 30. At the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, MI decided to bat first after winning the toss.
Fans were dazzled by his brilliant explosive batting in the powerplay. The Purple Cap holder Prasidh Krishna among others bowled by the GT bowlers, he cleaned them out. And struck three sixes and two fours off Prasidh’s bowling as he put on 26 from the fourth over.
The swashbuckling batter had struck three sixes and four fours, during his stay at the crease. Narrowly missing a well deserved half century he was out on 47 from 22 balls.
Bairstow concluded his MI debut with an impressive strike rate of 213.64. Ryan Rickelton, who is returning to South Africa in advance of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, was replaced by him.
Several supporters praised Bairstow for his stunning batting performance in the vital match. Here are a few of the most popular responses on X:
johny Bairstow ☠️#MIvsGT pic.twitter.com/JunyuaRuvf
— विक्रम 𝘬ꪊꪑꪖ𝘳 🦇 (@printf_meme) May 30, 2025Johny Bairstow 🔥 🔥 #MIvsGT pic.twitter.com/2vCHnOS9uj
— Manish (@memer_manis) May 30, 2025Johny Bairstow hi Jitendra bhatawdekar hai
— hrsh (@hrsh7dhoni) May 30, 2025“Well played, Jonny Bairstow on your Mumbai Indians debut. Thanks for the entertainment,” wrote a fan.
Jonny Bairstow scored 47(23) Runs in Eliminator Match. He comes as Replacement of Ryan Rickelton. Unsold in Mega Auction & comes in as Replacement in Mid Season. Never Easy to perform in first Match & it’s Eliminator Match. Well Played,” commented another.
“Next Mini Auction Mi Should Permanently Sign Jonny Bairstow,” chimed in yet another.
“I was afraid who will attack Prasidh…Bairstow changed it completely,” posted a fan.
In the crucial match, MI got off to a great start thanks to Bairstow and Rohit Sharma. In just 44 balls, the two put together an outstanding opening partnership of 84 runs.
Sai Sudharsan and Gerald Coetzee take stunning catch to end Jonny Bairstow’s innings
Jonny Bairstow’s exciting innings ended in the eighth over. Playing the reverse sweep against left-arm spinner Sai Kishore, the keeper-batter was killed.
Sai Sudharan, who was positioned at point, displayed exceptional athleticism by jumping into the air and palming the ball like a goalie. Bairstow had to walk back to the pavilion when Gerald Coetzee finished the relay catch.
A video of the catch may be found here:
Top teamwork 🫡
Sai Sudharsan 🤝 Gerald Coetzee
Jonny Bairstow departs after an entertaining 47(22).
Updates ▶ https://t.co/R4RTzjQfph #TATAIPL | #GTvMI | #Eliminator | #TheLastMile pic.twitter.com/Om1nYyNDAT
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 30, 2025
In the 13th over, Kishore removed the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav, giving GT yet another significant breakthrough. 33 runs off 20 balls led to the talented batter’s dismissal.
