IPL 2023, Qualifier 2 | Predicted Playing XIs For Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians

Vishal Mehra

image-li34swsnGujarat Titans lost the Qualifier 1 against CSK [AP Photos]

All eyes will be glued to the television screens when defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) take on five-time winners Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on Friday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The winner will face four-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final on Sunday evening.

Rohit Sharma and Co. head into the match having won their last tie against GT comprehensively, with the skipper having an enviable record, winning 11 out of 14 IPL playoffs.

On that note, let’s take a look at the predicted playing XI of both franchises:

Gujarat Titans (GT)

Openers

Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha

Chasing Faf du Plessis's record for the highest run-getter this season, Shubman Gill suffered a failure in Qualifier 1, where CSK stopped his scoring chances and shut down the batter. Gill's run from the top is crucial for GT, as other incoming batters plays around him, as the flow of runs keeps coming. 

Wriddhiman Saha has lost his touch, and has been found wanting for runs lately. Saha needs to play aggressively, but also not throw his wicket away, in the name of scoring quick runs. 

Middle Order 

Hardik Pandya, Dasun Shanaka, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia

As feared, lack of game-time for several of GT batters cost them against CSK. Pandya, Miller, and Tewatia can hit huge sixes but need to assess the ground realities before going all out. 

Much of the explosiveness revolves around Pandya, who needs to give himself more time and not tinker with his position much. Dasun Shanaka will be expected to bring his A game with the bat as well. 

Bowlers

Rashid Khan, Yash Dayal, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami

Rashid Khan with his batting almost got GT into the final but found himself stranded. Khan, along with Noor Ahmad, have strangled opposition batters in Ahmedabad for runs, and will look to rekindle their form against MI batters as well. 

Yash Dhayal will be drafted into the XI, given his experience of playing under pressure. 

Mohammed Shami with the new ball and Mohit Sharma with the old ball have been GT's stars, contributing to 45 wickets between them this season. 

Predicted XI for Gujarat Titans 

Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), Dasun Shanaka, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Darshan Nalkande, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammed Shami

Impact Players

Vijay Shankar, Srikar Bharat, Sai Sudharsan, Jayant Yadav, Shivam Mavi.


Mumbai Indians (MI)

Openers 

Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan

Rohit Sharma will need to bring his top game, having shown glimpses of his old self in earlier matches. Sharma has a good track record in Ahmedabad and will want to undo his poor record in playoffs.

Ishan Kishan, who has been among the runs this season, will again be tested by Shami and Co. with their disciplined bowling. The nature of track might assist Kishan, who loves to bat on true bounce wickets.

Middle Order

Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, Tilak Varma,

Cameron Green has struck back into form quite timely, with Suryakumar Yadav already at his striking best. Green's explosiveness has enabled other batters around him to take time and get going.

With Tilak Varma returning, the middle order looks more dangerous, even without Nehal Wadhera, who is sitting on the bench, despite churning out runs off late. The lack of runs from Tim David might be a concern but can spring into top gear anytime. 

Bowlers

Chris Jordan, Hrithik Shokeen, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff, Akash Madhwal

Akash Madhwal carried his rich form against LSG and demolished them handsomely. With 13 scalps from seven matches, Madhwal has emerged as a hidden gem for MI this season. 

Chris Jordan dished out all his experience in Eliminator and justified his place in the XI. Piyush Chawla remained ever-consistent and went on to claim wickets continuing his splendid run.

Jason Behrendorff will enjoy bowling at Ahmedabad given the carry in the pitch produces, and with little assistance in the air as well. 

Toss up might be between Hrithik Shokeen and Kumar Kartikeya, depending on how MI wants to play.

Predicted XI for Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, Tilak Varma, Chris Jordan, Hrithik Shokeen, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff, and Akash Madhwal

Impact Players: Ramandeep Singh, Kumar Kartikeya, Vishnu Vinod, Nehal Wadhera, Sandeep Warrier.