Gujarat Titans Outsmart Mumbai Indians with Black Soil Masterclass, Prasidh Krishna Steals the Show in Indian Premier League 2025

The Gujarat Titans' decision to use a black soil track at the Narendra Modi Stadium proved to be a masterstroke, as it allowed their pacers to dictate the terms of the game. The hosts' assistant coach, Parthiv Patel, revealed that the team had deliberately chosen to play on a black soil surface, knowing that it would hinder the Mumbai Indians' free-flowing stroke play. The black soil track, with its slower and stickier nature, made it difficult for the MI batters to execute their shots, and the GT bowlers capitalized on this advantage.

Prasidh Krishna was the standout performer among the GT pacers, returning impressive figures of 2 for 18 in his allotted four overs. His subtle variations and ability to exploit the black soil track made him virtually unplayable, and he played a crucial role in the Titans' victory. The GT skipper, Shubman Gill, praised Prasidh's performance, saying that he had done a "pretty amazing job" and had changed the game for the Titans.

While Prasidh Krishna's bowling was the highlight of the game, the Titans' batters also did an excellent job in registering a competitive total. Openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan provided a solid foundation, and the later batters built on this to give the bowlers something substantial to defend. The Titans' strategy of using the black soil track to their advantage paid off, and they secured a well-deserved 36-run victory over the Mumbai Indians. As Trent Boult, the MI pacer, said, "Good tactics from the opposition... they showed us how to bowl on that wicket."