SRH vs MI, IPL 2025: Boult from the blue destroys Sunrisers even as Rohit Sharma explodes into form

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This was not a bolt from the blue. It was Trent Boult in blue as the Mumbai Indians left-arm master of swing held a master class with 4 for 26 to destroy Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2025 in Hyderabad on Wednesday (April 23) night.

Post the Pahalgam terror attack, the players were in a sombre mood where black arm bands were worn to offer condolences for the 28 Hindus killed by Pakistani barbaric butchers (terrorists).

To move on from trauma and turmoil, the IPL show had to go on, of course, by paying respect to the Indians who lost their lives, civilians as well as Defence Forces personnel. Once in the field, the outside chatter had to be shut out.

For Mumbai Indians, charting their way back into this edition of the IPL is a mission. In 2024, with a change in leadership and Hardik Pandya being elevated as captain, there was brouhaha. All that is settled, the Mumbai Indians, calm as sea blue, showed how SRH is a spent force.

It is easy to say Rohit Sharma was in blazing form and batted like yore to flash the blade and score 70 runs, yet again a reminder he is in roaring form. The 70 runs were like a hailstorm as the creativity and geometry he produced for the eight fours and three sixes was defining.

To every heartless hack who said Rohit's shelf life is over and his place in the Indian side is not justified, Rohit is batting naturally. He cares two hoots about those who write bilge. For, Rohit is on a mission to get fitter and be relevant to Indian cricket even in 2027.

Before people say he failed in Test cricket during the BGT Series in Australia, hang on, even a man sent to the gallows gets a last chance as an appeal. Rohit will lead in the tour to England and batting form is about not the ball colour, but ensuring the strokes, timing and mindset are in sync. Come on, does he look an oldie! Ask the SRH bowlers, who were shown no mercy.

Back to the star of the night, it had to be Trent who ensured the nuts and bolts in the SRH batting order would be unscrewed. The way Boult did it was worth raving, using his cunning in Power Play and later to decapitate SRH.

Each of the dismissals Boult produced was worth watching even as replays. First, the way he beheaded Travis head. The Aussie left-hander played across the line, and the white ball made contact with the toe of the bat. Naman Dhir had no problem in pouching the catch.

Then came the dismissal of Abhishek Sharma for eight runs. A batter who can be combative, Boult deceived the opener with a slower one. The third wicket to fall was Abhinav Manohar, where he hit his own stumps. Of course, getting Pat Cummins was no big deal since the Aussie skipper is a bunny with the bat. He was bowled, and the analysis read 4-0-26-4 for Trent Boult.

A bit about Boult for perspective. At 35 years of age, the Kiwi from Rotorua, a city known for its geothermal activity and famous Maori culture. It is a peaceful city for tourists, but if you flip through the history of New Zealand cricket, they have produced dynamic fast bowlers.

For the record, Boult has been a past master in all formats. At this age, where medium pacers who have mastered swing even in the Indian summer heat, they deserve praise.

There is almost nothing to get as assistance from brown tracks which look as shiny as a human head after tonsure. Forget grass, it's a pitch where bowlers have to be creative with a nuance for accuracy and perfection. Boult defined it.

Back to the tale of two teams, misery for SRH and hope for MI. Hardik Pandya's boys/men have shown resilience in fighting back and now have 10 points from nine matches. The streak of wins produced in the last 10 days defines them as former champions who won the IPL Trophy five times.

And the best part, each player is ready to chip in, minus any rancour. For long, there was a worry if Suryakumar Yadav had forgotten how to score runs. With Jasprit Bumrah also now looking fit and enjoying his bowling, there are so many positives, not just for Mumbai Indians but also India. Rohit Sharma and Bumrah are very important for Team India during the Test series in England.

As for SRH plummeting to depths of despair, that will require a separate obituary piece. Pat Cummins and his star cast have bombed at the box office. Heads will roll after this IPL for sure.