The goal ahead for Mumbai Indians is quite straightforward – win all their remaining five matches to have any prospects of qualification to the playoffs. But Mahela Jayawardene isn’t that optimistic. Despite winning the previous game with excellent batting and bowling, it is evident that the five-time champions have yet to find a formula or even a template. The Gujarat Titans, who are currently on top of the standings, pose the first challenge to their qualification hopes.
Despite the fact that the Mumbai Indians’ five-match winning streak came to an end in the previous game, the head coach admits that the Hardik Pandya-led side has showed the temperament that his team has lacked this season, among other problems. “You’ve seen them win three or four games from positions where they’ve been outplayed by individual brilliance, with Miller, Tewatia, or Rashid finishing games off.” That is exactly what the season demands. We haven’t had the spark we’ve had in the past.”
It’s as honest a confession as any for a squad that has underperformed and is seeking to regain its form, but there will be no momentum to carry over from the previous game, which took place four days ago at the DY Patil Stadium. What they do have to their advantage is that Gujarat’s momentum, if not the spark, has suffered a little setback.
When: 7:30 p.m. IST on Friday, May 6, 2022
Where: Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, Gujarat Titans against Mumbai Indians
What to expect: Despite how hot the weather has been in Mumbai, it is still one of the coolest cities in the country, with temperatures anticipated to stay around 30 degrees throughout the match. Humidity levels will be reduced as well, but still at a dangerous 60 percent.
Head-to-head: The two sides have never faced off before.
Team Observation
Indians of Mumbai
Ishan Kishan is one of the few hitters who has been able to successfully oppose Rashid Khan. The southpaw has scored 64 runs in 51 balls, and the leggie has yet to dismiss him in the IPL. Is it possible to relegate Kishan to the middle order?
Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Dewald Brevis/Tim David, Kieron Pollard, Hrithik Shokeen, Daniel Sams, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Riley Meredith, Kieron Pollard, Hrithik Shokeen, Daniel Sams, Jasprit Bumrah, Jasprit Bumr
Titans of Gujarat:
If Rohit Sharma can make it through the middle overs, there might be some exciting clashes. While the opener has had great success against Lockie Ferguson, Rashid Khan had the better of him, dismissing him twice in 24 balls.
Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sai Sudarshan, Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Pradeep Sangwan/Yash Dayal, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami are among the probable XI.
Did you realize that?
Since his debut in the IPL, Rashid has claimed 71 wickets in the middle overs (7-15), but he has only taken three in this period this year. Six of his nine IPL 2022 wickets have come in the final overs. As a result, in the middle overs of this IPL, GT had the worst spin stats.
Only Sanju Samson has scored more runs than Suryakumar Yadav at #3 in the IPL since 2019.
They stated the following:
The new players who have come in and put their hands up and how they have performed has been one of the brighter lights for us this season. There is much work to be done, but I am really excited. – Mahela Jayawardene, head coach of the Mumbai Indians
“We have chased well in this competition, and we have to know how to establish objectives if necessary (later in the tournament).” This is all part of the learning process, but it’s all about learning to push ourselves out of our comfort zones. Even when we were winning, we would discuss about things that didn’t go our way (today) and how we could improve in the future games. – Hardik Pandya, Gujarat Titans captain, following the loss to PBKS