Horrible day for us: Matthew Hayden rues GT top-order collapse in crushing MI loss
IPL 2026: Matthew Hayden slammed Gujarat Titans' top-order collapse after their heavy loss to Mumbai Indians. He called it a "horrible day" as GT failed to chase 200 in Ahmedabad.
Matthew Hayden did not hold back after Gujarat Titans’s heavy defeat to Mumbai Indians, calling it a “horrible day” and pointing to the top-order collapse as the defining factor. Chasing 200 in Ahmedabad, GT never really got going, undoing the platform they had built in previous games.
The loss was particularly frustrating given Gujarat’s recent record in run chases. Having won two of their last three pursuits, they once again found themselves in a position to hunt down a competitive total, but failed to capitalise as early wickets derailed the innings.
GT vs MI, IPL 2026: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
Speaking after the match, Hayden reflected on the missed opportunity and the lack of contribution from the top order.
“This is a 50/50 record for us now. I think we're actually playing according to that record. Winning 3, losing 3. You know, before tonight we'd won 2 out of the 3 run chases. Again we put ourselves in a position to chase runs, and it wasn't an impossible total. 200 still is a total that I would back our three world-class players at the top of the order to get into a bit more and then allow our game players an opportunity to bat deep into the innings,” Hayden said at the post-match press conference.
“It was just a horrible day for us today. The truth behind it. There was nothing good about this day really, apart from KG Rabada's performance,” he added.
The defeat came against a Mumbai side that had entered the contest on the back of four consecutive losses. Yet, on the night, MI found a way to flip the script, producing one of their most complete performances of the season.
HOW MI THUMPED GT IN AHMEDABAD
The turnaround was driven by Tilak Varma, who produced a stunning unbeaten 101 off 45 balls. Walking in during a tricky phase, he shifted gears brilliantly after MI were placed at 103 for 4 in the 14th over, turning a modest total into a daunting 199.
That late surge set the tone for what followed. Jasprit Bumrah struck with the very first ball of the innings, putting Gujarat on the back foot immediately. From there, the collapse gathered pace.
Ashwani Kumar then delivered the knockout blow with figures of 4 for 24, as wickets fell in clusters and no partnership could take shape. Gujarat Titans were eventually bowled out for 100 in 15.5 overs, handing Mumbai Indians a commanding 99-run win and a much-needed turnaround in their campaign.
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