[WATCH] Eliminator: Kusal Mendis falls Hit wicket in IPL 2025 as Gujarat Titans chase

In an incredibly dramatic moment during the IPL 2025 Eliminator at the New PCA Stadium in Chandigarh, Gujarat Titans’ (GT) wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis was dismissed hit wicket in the seventh over chasing a target against Mumbai Indians (MI). As Mendis faced off against a short delivery from Mitchell Santner, he moved back deep into his crease and inadvertently clipped the stumps with his back leg. He was dismissed for a quick 20 from 10 deliveries and became the third player in IPL history to be dismissed hit wicket.

Mendis was drafted into the squad as a replacement for Jos Buttler, who had to leave for national duty. He debuted for the franchise in this knockout encounter and endured a difficult day on field. First he dropped a catch each of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, highlighting his inefficiency behind the stumps. The dropped chances allowed MI to finish with a good score and put pressure on GT’s chase, knowing it was a do-or-die match.

At the crease, though, Mendis looked promising with the bat. When Shubman Gill fell first ball, he came in with Sai Sudharsan and attacked immediately. He hit two big sixes off Trent Boult and pushed momentum back into GT. The duo brought up a 50-run stand in just 28 deliveries, lifting GT's hopes before Mendis’ rare dismissal halted the surge.

Momentum with GT Despite Unusual Dismissal

Mendis' hit-wicket offered MI a brief opportunity to claw back into the game, but GT has continued to keep the scoreboard ticking. In-form Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sunder have now settled into the chase comfortably, exercising poise and power while MI continues to bear down on them.

Watch the video here

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At the latest update, Gujarat Titans are 108/2 in 10.2 overs. With wickets in hand and good batting depth, GT continues to be in a position to push for a place in Qualifier 2 and keep their IPL 2025 title hopes alive.