*MI VS GT PREVIEW- MATCH 57*
*THE BUILD UP:*
After making a mockery of the 200 run chase the other night, MI look on course to set their foot in the semis but today offers them an exciting opportunity to rub their shoulders against the players of Gujarat Titans, who have a foot already inside the Qualifier 1. This game is more important for the home side, that is the Rohit led unit, with their captain under the scanner having scored just 191 in 11 games.
*RUNFEST AT THE ICONIC WANKHEDE TO CONTINUE?:*
Runs have come thick and fast at this venue. With an electric outfield and a pitch as flat as a pancake, don’t expect any changes in the conditions. Only bowlers who operate smartly and vary their lengths and lines would emerge victorious here. The fact that MI have gone past 200 three times while chasing and winning 2/3 tells us enough about the nightmares that the bowlers have faced here.
*MI PROBABLE XI:*
Rohit Sharma(c), Ishan Kishan(wk), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Piyush Chawla, Chris Jordan,
Jason Behrendroff, Kumar Karthikeye
Having missed the last two games, expect a return to the XI from Tikal Verma, who has shown a lot of promise as a high intent batter. His exploits on a pitch that has aided the batters so far could prove to be vital.
Rohit who has been struggling this season could find himself in even more trouble with Shami firing bullets from the other end. Not only has the former been in terrific form but also has the edge over Rohit, having sent him back to the thrice and leaking just 57 runs in 51 balls.
MI’s bowling has performed poorly this season and on a belter of a pitch tonight with GT batters all pumped up, life is in a sorry state if you’re a MI bowler. But the heroics of Chawla in an otherwise disastrous bowling group can make a difference.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Akash Madhwal could play this role if MI bowl second. Tikka Verma is likely to play the same role if MI chase.
*GT PROBABLE XI:*
Shubman Gill, Wridhiman Saha(wk), Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Shami, Noor Ahmed
Eager to watch Noor and Rashid bowl at this venue. Both having unique actions and different release points could create doubts in the minds of MI batters, who have otherwise been in stellar form, specially while chasing. The Afghan pair holds ability to stop them today.
My belief says that this game could boil down to the bowling of GT up against the masterful batting of MI. With both Joseph and Shami fired up to produce impressive results on even belter of surfaces and MI on a chasing spree, this could be one fiesty battle tonight at the Wankhede.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Mohit Sharma to come as the impact sub while Manohar could play the same role if GT bat second.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THIS GAME:*
*FOR GT:*
Highest run getter- Shubman Gill/Hardik Pandya
Highest wicket taker- Rashid Khan/Noor Ahmed
*FOR MI:*
Highest run getter- Tilak Verma/Suryakumar Yadav
Highest wicket taker- Piyush Chawla/Jason Behrendroff
*FOR THE GAME:*
GT to win