Twitter Reactions: Mohit Sharma's spectacular five-for seals Gujarat Titans' IPL 2023 final spot

Gujarat Titans (GT) sealed their spot in the final of the IPL for a second season running after brushing aside five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in a run-fest at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Shubman Gill's breathtaking third IPL century in the first innings, coupled with Mohit Sharma's clutch bowling performance in the second, laid the foundation for a momentous victory.

Mumbai Indians needed to scale a record-breaking total if they wanted to join arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings in the final of IPL 2023. However, make-shift opener Nehal Wadhera was dismissed by Mohammed Shami in the very first over of the chase.

The five-time champions suffered another huge blow after Shami dismissed Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma in his next over. Despite those two quick wickets, the visitors kept up with the asking rate, thanks to Tilak Verma's blistering 43 off just 14 deliveries.

The Hardik Pandya-led side breathe a huge sigh of relief after the youngster was cleaned up by Afghan wizard Rashid Khan. However, Mumbai launched another assault on the defending champions after Cameron Green and Suryakumar Yadav joined hands in the middle. 

While the hard-hitting Aussie departed after a brisk cameo, it was up to Suryakumar Yadav to guide his side home in a daunting chase. The Indian batting sensation was threatening to take his side close to the target on his own before Mohit Sharma pulled the curtains on his onslaught in his very first over of the match.

Mumbai's charge fizzled out after SKY's departure as Mohit ran riot with the ball in a sensational spell, returning with astonishing figures of 5/10, the second-best in the history of the playoffs. The veteran Indian pacer needed just 14 deliveries to derail Mumbai's chase as Gujarat Titans joined CSK in the IPL 2023 final.

Shubman Gill's carnage helps Gujarat Titans to a record-breaking total

Hardik Pandya's men were put into bat first after visiting skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss in the high-profile encounter in Ahmedabad. Gujarat's openers, Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill, were watchful in the initial overs as there was some zip for the pacers after a brief shower in the evening. 

Following a sedated few overs, Gill put his foot on the accelerator, despite losing Saha in the first over after the powerplay. The young Indian opener took a liking to Mumbai's veteran spinner Piyush Chawla, dispatching him for a flurry of boundaries. Last match's hero Akash Madhwal was also put to the sword as Gill smoked him for three maximums in an over.

The 23-year-old batter sent the record books tumbling after registering his third century in his last four IPL innings, becoming the youngest batter to smash a century in playoffs history. He provided the impetus to the innings after registering the highest individual score for GT in IPL history. 

Following Gill's departure, GT skipper Hardik Pandya finished off the innings on a high, smashing Chris Jordan for a boundary and a six to take his side to their highest-ever IPL total. It was also the highest score registered in the playoffs. 

Chetan Sakariya@Sakariya55

That's why i love this game .....it always gives a chance to comeback....what an inspirational comeback 🙌🏽💪🛐 #IPL2023 #COMEBACK

12:25 AM · May 27, 2023

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Shubman Gill@ShubmanGill

Back 2 back 💙⚡️

12:27 AM · May 27, 2023

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Harbhajan Turbanator@harbhajan_singh

Outstanding Game by @gujarat_titans to beat @mipaltan . Special player , big player , super star @SubhmanG top bowling by #Mohitsharma and Champion @rashidkhan_19 . Congratulations Captain @hardikpandya7 important knock in the end 👌. MI lots of positive for this season 👏

12:13 AM · May 27, 2023

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Mpumelelo Mbangwa@mmbangwa

Shubman Gill! #superplayer #ipl #IPL2023

12:13 AM · May 27, 2023

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Aakash Chopra@cricketaakash

31.03.2023 — Narendra Modi Stadium— GT v CSK 28.05.2023. Nearly two months later. After 73 games. We are back to where it started…and how it started. It’s a GT v CSK again… So, why exactly did we play this season?? 🫣🤪 #TataIPL twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

12:09 AM · May 27, 2023

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Robin Aiyuda Uthappa@robbieuthappa

Hard luck @mipaltan tonight but well done for reaching this far in the tournament. Top effort with some great performances!! 👏🏾

12:08 AM · May 27, 2023

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Wasim Jaffer@WasimJaffer14

5 wickets in 14 balls including the game changing wicket of SKY! Well bowled Mohit Sharma, this has been a season of redemption for him 👏🏽 #GTvMI #IPL2023

12:08 AM · May 27, 2023

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MANOJ TIWARY@tiwarymanoj

This is a 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚 APPRECIATION post! 👌🌟🏏 What a story! Nothing less than a folktale... Well done! 👍 #MIvGT #MIvsGT #MohitSharma #TataIPL #TataIPL2023

12:06 AM · May 27, 2023

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Irfan Pathan@IrfanPathan

4 bowlers of GT have taken 93 wickets no other team’s top 4 bowlers have taken as many wickets. Such a privilage to have such quality bowlers in your team it Makes the job of captain so much easier. Back to back finals for GT👏

12:03 AM · May 27, 2023

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Virender Sehwag@virendersehwag

Another example of Never Give Up- Mohit Sharma. Was not in the fray last few seasons and a net bowler for GT last season. But in just 13 matches, 24 wickets this season is a champion performance. Top 3 wicket takers all from Gujarat and they so deserve to make it to the finals.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

12:02 AM · May 27, 2023

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S.Badrinath@s_badrinath

Two finals in two seasons what an incredible performance! Very well done @gujarat_titans #Excellent #IPL2023 #GTvMI

11:57 PM · May 26, 2023

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Mpumelelo Mbangwa@mmbangwa

Fair to say that the best two teams of this #IPL edition are through to the final.

12:15 AM · May 27, 2023

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CricTracker@Cricketracker

Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans knocked his former team out of the tournament in the Qualifier 2. 📸: IPL/BCCI #HardikPandya #IPL #IPL2023 #Cricket #CricTracker #GujaratTitans

11:57 PM · May 26, 2023

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Mohandas Menon@mohanstatsman

Shubman Gill's 104* at Bengaluru helped MI to qualify for the last four in #IPL2023. His 129 at Ahmedabad tonight ensured MI did not qualify for the last two! #GL #GLvMI #MIvGL #IPL

12:14 AM · May 27, 2023

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The Bharat Army@thebharatarmy

🔥🥳 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗬! Can the defending champions make it 2 in 2 this Sunday? 🤯💯 If Hardik and co. defend their title successfully, they will become only the third team to do so in the league. 📷 BCCI • #HardikPandya #ShubhamGill #RashidKhan… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

12:05 AM · May 27, 2023

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