The battle lines are drawn, it will be a fight between Mumbai Indians’ batting might and Gujarat Titans’ bowling expertise when the two teams meet at the Wankhede in Mumbai on Friday.
The last time the two met, the Titans bowlers had prevailed while defending a 200-plus total. But that was in Ahmedabad. At the Wankhede, usually the batters hold sway.
But the equations might not be that simple as the two powerhouses clash. A lot is at stake. A win for the Titans would guarantee them a top-two finish in the league stage, which would mean an extra shot at making the final. Mumbai too can’t afford to lose as they are positioned in the slippery mid-table zone.
With Suryakumar Yadav finding his best touch back, Mumbai look a completely different proposition. They have chased down 200 or more multiple times. That, even though captain Rohit Sharma is going through a horrific lean phase. Besides Surya, Ishan Kishan, Nehal Wadhera, Cameron Green and the big-hitting Tim David make Mumbai a fearsome batting unit.
But the Titans will be no less confident. With Mohammed Shami being the best seamer of the league so far and Afghan spinners Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad bamboozling batters, captain Hardik Pandya can surely do a double on Mumbai.
Today’s match
■ Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans, 7.30pm, Wankhede, live on Star Sports & Jio Cinema
