Defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) will take on five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, May 26. Gujarat went down to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 15 runs in Qualifier 1 in Chennai. Because they topped the league stage, GT get another chance to seal their berth in the finals. Mumbai thumped Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Eliminator by 81 runs. They now need to get the better of GT to set-up a legendary CSK-MI final. Here are player battles to watch out for in GT vs MI IPL 2023 Qualifier 2.
1. Shubman Gill vs Jason Behrendorff
GT opener Shubman Gill has been in exceptional form for the defending champions. In 15 matches, he has clobbered 722 runs at an average of 55.54 and a strike rate of 149.17. Gill went into Qualifier 1 on the back of successive hundreds. He top-scored CSK as well in a losing cause. Can Gill deliver again?
Jason Behrendorff has quietly played an efficient role for MI with the ball in IPL 2023. In 11 matches, he has claimed 14 wickets at an average of 25.64 and an economy rate of 9.45. He has claimed crucial wickets at key moments. Gill will be big fish in the game.
2. Rohit Sharma vs Mohammed Shami
Despite scoring a half-century in the last league game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), MI skipper Rohit Sharma did not look in great rhythm. But, at least he had some runs to his name. It hasn’t helped him much though as he fell cheaply against LSG in the Eliminator. Can Hitman lift himself on the big day?
Mohammed Shami has been absolutely sensational for GT with the ball. He is the current Purple Cap holder with 26 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 17.38 and an economy rate of 7.66. Barring a couple of games, he has been stellar. Can he knock over Rohit early?
3. Vijay Shankar vs Akash Madhwal
Vijay Shankar has been one of the unsung heroes of GT’s IPL 2023 campaign. He has scored a couple of scintillating fifties, delivering in crunch situations. In the last match against CSK, his wicket proved to be one of the turning points as GT were fighting back. With Hardik Pandya struggling, he will be key again.
MI pacer Akash Madhwal has been the talk of the town even since his sensational spell of 5/5 blew away LSG’s hopes in the Eliminator. Madhwal has been an unexpected hero for the team in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. He will target the scalp of Shankar in the second half of the innings.
4. Suryakumar Yadav vs Rashid Khan
Suryakumar Yadav has been fantastic for Mumbai Indians in the second half of IPL 2023. Once he has found his rhythm, he has batted like the SKY of old. In the last game as well, the 360-degree batter contributed a crucial 33 off 20 balls. MI will expect another good knock from him.
SKY vs Rashid Khan could be the defining battle of the game. Like every season, Rashid has been bamboozling batters in IPL 2023 as well. Twenty-five wickets in 15 matches at an average of under 20 is testimony to his success. Can he win the battle against SKY?
5. Nehal Wadhera vs Mohit Sharma
Nehal Wadhera has been a surprise package for MI in the middle-order. Even as SKY has played some exceptional knocks, Wadhera has also chipped in with some extremely crucial contributions. One highly significant one came in the Eliminator when he contributed 23 off 12 as the Impact Player.
Mohit Sharma has been wonderful for GT at the death. He has kept things tight in a number of games and has picked up important wickets at critical junctures. Gujarat will need Mohit to be at his best against MI in the do-or-die clash. Can he deliver against the confident Wadhera?