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In a high-stakes thriller in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) edged past Mumbai Indians (MI) in a true edge-of-the-seat encounter. The defeat marked the end of the road for the five-time champions, who had staged an impressive resurgence to reach the playoffs. However, it was the scenes after the match that truly touched hearts, showcasing a simple yet powerful gesture of admiration and mutual respect between cricketing legends.
Jonny Bairstow requests Rohit’s autograph
In a video shared by Mumbai Indians’ official handle (@mipaltan), England’s explosive batter and MI’s late-season inclusion Jonny Bairstow was seen requesting team stalwart Rohit Sharma to sign his helmet. The footage, captured after Punjab’s thrilling victory over Mumbai in Ahmedabad, shows Bairstow packing his kit following the thrilling clash. As he paused to make the request, Rohit obliged with a smile, signing the helmet. Bairstow was then heard on camera saying, “Looking good, very good,” creating a moment that quickly resonated with fans online, many of whom affectionately dubbed it “loved the duo.”
Here’s the video:
It was only two games, but we fell in love with the Rohit-Bairstow opening show 😍#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/MU59aHsXRj
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) June 2, 2025
Bairstow leaves a mark in just two games
Meanwhile, following the mid-season suspension of IPL 2025, Mumbai temporarily signed Bairstow as a replacement for Proteas batter Ryan Rickelton, who exited the tournament midway to prepare for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final later this month. The decision proved to be a smart one, as Bairstow, despite featuring in just two matches, delivered impactful performances with the bat.
Opening alongside Rohit, Bairstow provided explosive starts that laid the foundation for MI to post consecutive 200-plus totals in both the Eliminator and Qualifier 2. Although MI narrowly missed out on their target in Ahmedabad, Bairstow’s short stint left a lasting impression. In just two appearances, the 35-year-old amassed 85 runs at a blistering strike rate of nearly 185, underlining his ability to perform under pressure. What makes this even more remarkable is the fact that Bairstow went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction. After this impressive cameo, he is expected to be on the radar of several franchises when the next auction rolls around.
