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With the prize of a place in Sunday’s 2023 IPL Final against Chennai Super Kings up for grabs, Gujarat Titans take on Mumbai Indians on Friday evening. Gujarat Titans are narrow favourites and can be backed at 17/20 (1.85) with Mumbai Indians on 19/20 (1.95) to win.
These odds from Ladbrokes were correct at the time of writing.
- Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians (GT vs MI), Playoffs, Qualifier 2
- May 26, 2023 – 3 PM GMT
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Contents
With an average first innings score of 187 at this venue during the tournament, we expect a wicket with pace and bounce which will be good news for the batters on both sides.
It looks set to be a hot and humid evening in Ahmedabad for this Qualifier 2 and the temperature will be in the mid-30s at the start of the game before dropping no lower than 32. No rain or clouds are forecast.
GT vs MI – Match Predictions
This game sees the tournament topping bowling attack of Gujarat Titans take on the powerful batting line-up of Mumbai Indians. Whatever happens, we are in for an entertaining contest but we think that home advantage will go a long way and are backing Gujarat Titans to advance to the final.
Our prediction: Gujarat Titans to win this match at 17/20 (1.85).
Probable 6s
The success of Gujarat Titans over the last two seasons has not been built on non-stop big sixes but on attacking strokes and quality bowling. In the other corner, Mumbai Indians have a box-office batting line-up full of players who live for hitting maximums. With an average of 8.80 sixes per match so far in the 2023 IPL, we are backing Mumbai Indians to clear the ropes the most in this game.
Our prediction: Mumbai Indians to hit most sixes in the match at 4/6 (1.67).
Probable Wickets
Both Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan have gone wicketless only once this season at the Narendra Modi Stadium but it is Shami, the current Purple Cap holder with 26 wickets, who has the best recent record. He comes into this Qualifier 2 having taken nine wickets from his last three appearances at this venue including 2x four wicket hauls. Shami is our tip for the top wicket taker on his side.
Our prediction: Rashid Khan to be Gujarat Titans’ highest wicket-taker at 3/1 (4.00).
Man of the Match
If Gujarat Titans get through this clash and go on to win the tournament, this may well be remembered as Shubman Gill’s IPL. He comes into this match needing only nine more runs to go into the lead as the highest run scorer in the competition. Gill has been brilliant in international cricket this year as well but in the IPL he has hit an incredible 722 runs at a strike-rate of 149.17.
Our prediction: Shubman Gill to be the Man of the Match at 7/1 (8.00).
GT vs MI Preview
Both teams have beaten the other earlier in this tournament but it is Mumbai Indians who lead the head to head 2-1.
Gujarat Titans
Josh Little is back in the country and available for selection but will probably have to make do with the opportunity of being an impact substitute in this match. The Titans have been very consistent with their selection throughout the competition and we expect them to stick with the same XI.
Predicted XI: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya (c), Dasun Shanaka, David Miller, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami
Mumbai Indians
Although it was a crushing win in Chennai on Wednesday, this will be a very different pitch and there are no guarantees that Mumbai will go with the same team. Pace bowler Hrithik Shokeen’s place in the XI is probably the most at risk of any in the squad ahead of this playoff clash.
Predicted XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Chris Jordan, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff, Hrithik Shokeen, Akash Madhwal
How to Watch IPL 2023 in the UK: Live Streaming & Channel List
For those in the UK and sat at home, you’ll be able to watch all of this crucial game on Sky Sports Cricket. If on the move, use Sky Go to stream the contest.
- Sky Sports Cricket (TV)
- Sky Go (Streaming)
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