GT vs MI Key Player Battle
It is down to 3 teams in IPL 2023. The Gujarat Titans will take on the Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier of IPL 2023. GT will play the knockout game at their home venue in the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The pitch in Ahmedabad has been one of the better surfaces this season. It has provided for a fair contest between both bat and ball. There have been several high-scoring games while a few have been low-scoring thrillers too. It will eventually be a battle between the tournament’s best bowling and batting unit.
Will GT experience the nerves?
The Gujarat Titans lost their first knockout game in two seasons. They had easily romped home to the title last year winning both qualifier one and the final. The fans hoped that the narrative will play out in a similar manner this season too. But GT came up short against CSK in the first qualifier. CSK used their home advantage to the hilt and GT had no other option but to look at home comfort to book a berth in the finals. They will be up against the most successful side in the league in the second qualifier. GT will back its strengths to challenge MI.
Is MI the favourite for this contest?
The Mumbai Indians brushed aside LSG’s challenge in the eliminator. They won the big moments handsomely setting up a knockout clash with defending champions for a place in the finals. MI has peaked at the right time. It was their batting largely that powered them to the playoffs but MI’s bowling has started finding its voice too. Their bowling smarts were on display in the eliminator with a little-known Akash Madhwal setting the stage on fire. He will relish the conditions on offer at Ahmedabad. MI will have their tails up in this contest.
We look at the key player battles between GT and MI:
#1 Shubman Gill vs Akash Madhwal
The GT opener has been in tremendous form this season. Shubman Gill has notched up more than 700 runs in IPL 2023 comprising two crucial centuries. He has scored the bulk of the runs for the side this year. The lack of runs from Hardik Pandya and David Miller has made Gill’s contribution even more crucial.
In games where Gill has crossed 50, GT has invariably ended up winning. He loves the track at Ahmedabad. But Gill will be up against a buoyant Akash Madhwal in this game. The seamer singlehandedly won the game for MI in the eliminator. His hard length will challenge Gill. It will make for fascinating viewing!
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#2 Suryakumar Yadav vs Rashid Khan
The last time these two sides met Suryakumar Yadav blazed his way to a fine century. He looked in solid touch in the eliminator too before he departed playing one shot too many. SKY is one of those players who switch the best in them on big occasions. He will be raring to go against GT in the second qualifier.
Rashid Khan has already proved his mettle in big match situations. He almost pulled off a special heist against CSK all on his own in the first qualifier. But Khan will be keen to step up with the ball in this game. He will look to target SKY in the middle overs. Their battle will have a huge impact on the outcome of the game.
