IPL 2025 [WATCH]: Marcus Stoinis roars in celebration after sending Rohit Sharma back during PBKS vs MI Qualifier 2 clash

The IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad promised high drama, and it delivered within the opening exchanges. Mumbai Indians, riding high after a dominant Eliminator win, faced Punjab Kings in a virtual semi-final, with both teams just one victory away from the coveted final.

Marcus Stoinis’ electrifying celebration after dismissing Rohit Sharma in IPL 2025 Qualifier 2

After being invited to bat first by PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer, MI began aggressively, looking to capitalize on the batting-friendly conditions. Rohit, fresh off a match-winning 81 in the previous game, looked set to anchor another big total. However, after being dropped on 3 by Azmatullah Omarzai, Rohit failed to make the most of his reprieve. In the third over, Marcus Stoinis was introduced into the attack, a move that paid immediate dividends for Punjab.

Stoinis’ second delivery was a sharp, 132 km/h length ball that seamed in slightly. Rohit, attempting a flick, mistimed his shot and sent the ball off the bottom of his bat to deep backward square, where Vijaykumar Vyshak completed a safe catch. Rohit departed for just 8 off 7 balls, a significant blow for Mumbai given his recent form.

But it was Stoinis’ reaction that truly captured the moment. The Australian all-rounder erupted in a pumped-up celebration, thumping his chest, yelling ‘Come on boys!,’ and letting out a primal roar. His aggressive send-off was a testament to the intensity of the occasion and the importance of the wicket, as he broke the opening partnership and gave Punjab a crucial breakthrough.

Here’s the video:

Stoinis got the Big Fish Rohit Sharma 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/4cOPANBiT6

— THAKUR (@JThakur29) June 1, 2025

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MI aim a high score after the powerplay surge against PBKS

Despite losing their talisman early, MI did not retreat. Jonny Bairstow and Tilak Varma took charge, ensuring the run rate never dipped. By the end of the powerplay, Mumbai had raced to 65/1 in just six overs, maintaining a scoring rate above 10 runs per over. Bairstow, in particular, looked fluent, striking boundaries with authority and rotating the strike effectively before falling to Vyshak, while Varma provided solid support.

The early dismissal of Rohit, however, meant that the onus was now on the middle order, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and others, to build on the brisk start and set a formidable total. With the pitch offering little assistance to bowlers and the average first-innings score at the venue hovering around 221, Mumbai’s aggressive approach was both necessary and risky. MI after 10 overs of the play are at 100/2.

Also READ: Explained: Who will reach IPL 2025 final if Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians Qualifier 2 gets washed out?