Hardik Pandya’s return to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, this time as the captain of Mumbai Indians, stirred many emotions among fans and spectators, marked by anticipation, criticism, and drama.

After his trade from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya’s homecoming to Ahmedabad marked a significant moment in his cricketing journey, as he stepped onto familiar turf with a new role and responsibilities.

See Also: IPL 2024: Key points of Rajasthan Royals’ win over Lucknow Super Giants

Mixed Reception: Boos and Cheers

The atmosphere at the Narendra Modi Stadium was charged with contrasting emotions as Pandya faced a chorus of boos from the crowd, juxtaposed with the warm reception accorded to Shubman Gill, his successor as Gujarat’s captain, highlighting the divided sentiments among the spectators.

Despite the unwelcoming response from the crowd, Pandya exhibited composure and professionalism during the toss ceremony, maintaining his focus on the game and proceeding with the proceedings in a dignified manner.

Boos on Pandya’s Bowling

The intensity of emotions surrounding Pandya’s return was further emphasized when the crowd erupted into another round of boos as Pandya took the ball to bowl. However, he initially failed to make an impact, conceding runs and facing criticism for his performance. Pandya started the MI attack himself, and his first over ended up going for 11 runs, which was a disappointing decision because MI had the best T20 bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, on the field, and skipper Hardik didn’t even look at him to open the bowling.

Dramatic Incident: Pandya’s Fielding Orders to Rohit Sharma

A dramatic incident unfolded on the field when Pandya, in his new role as Mumbai Indians’ captain, gave fielding orders to Rohit Sharma, the veteran cricketer and former team captain, sparking discussions and raising eyebrows among fans and pundits.

Rohit was there, and Hardik immediately told him to change his position. However, India’s all-format captain was not prepared for it, and in a gesture, he told, ‘who, me?’

And Hardik confirmed, which led Rohit to switch his place, setting the social media world on fire.

Criticism and Response

Despite his contributions to Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022, Pandya’s return to Ahmedabad was marred by criticism and scrutiny, particularly following the dramatic on-field incident, which fueled further debate and analysis in the cricketing fraternity.

Rohit Sharma’s Performance

Amidst the drama and scrutiny, Rohit Sharma’s performance on the field remained a focal point, with the seasoned batsman showcasing his skill and composure, steering Mumbai Indians’ chase with a commendable innings.

At the time of writing, while Mumbai chasing 169, have reached 112/3 after 13 overs. Rohit scored 43 runs off 29 deliveries.

The clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2024 marked an enthralling start to the season, with MI opting to bowl first under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya.

Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy Debut for MI

In his first match as captain, Hardik Pandya made an intriguing decision to bowl first after winning the toss, setting the tone for MI’s strategy in the game. Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling prowess was on full display as he significantly impacted the match, picking crucial wickets and applying pressure on the GT batting lineup.

See Also: IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by 20 runs

Jasprit Bumrah’s Mastery of Yorkers

Bumrah’s execution of the yorker against Wriddhiman Saha showcased his unparalleled skill and precision, reminiscent of his legendary yorkers in Test and T20 cricket. As Bumrah displayed his bowling brilliance, the camera captured Lasith Malinga, the ‘original’ Yorker master, applauding his protege, highlighting the passing of the torch from one pace spearhead to another.

Hardik started himself the first over ended up going for 11 runs. Surprisingly, he ended up coming back for the third over instead of handing the ball to Jasprit Bumrah after Luke Wood bowled the second and conceded nine. Bumrah then came in and got the first wicket for MI in the form of Wriddhiman Saha with his trademark yorker.

Most three wickets haul in IPL for MI
20 – Jasprit Bumrah
19 – Malinga

GT were then buoyed by some strong knocks from Sai Sudharsan, who scored 45 off 39 along with Azmatullah Omarzai and David Miller. Bumrah returned in the 17th over to dismiss Miller and Sudharsan. And showed his dominance in IPL. In his 4 overs of spell, he conceded just 14 runs and bagged 3 crucial wickets for MI.

MI’s Decision to Bowl First

MI’s decision to bowl first paid dividends as their bowlers, led by Bumrah, successfully restricted GT’s batting lineup and put them on the back foot early in the match. MI handed a debut to 24-year-old Naman Dhir, who showcased his talent and potential as he made his first appearance for the team in place of the injured Suryakumar Yadav.

The stage is set for an exhilarating encounter between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL 2024, and fervent supporters are already in full swing, echoing chants and anticipation at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

Anticipation for the Clash

The atmosphere outside the stadium is electric as fans clad in MI’s iconic blue jerseys flood the venue, generating a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation for the impending showdown.

New Captains, New Dynamics

Both teams enter the match with new leadership, as Hardik Pandya takes the reins for MI and Shubman Gill leads the charge for GT. This change in leadership adds an intriguing dynamic to the clash.

Rohit Sharma: The Center of Attention

Despite the shuffle in captaincy, all eyes remain fixated on Rohit Sharma, the legendary batter who has been synonymous with MI’s success for years. His presence adds an extra layer of excitement to the match.

Outside the stadium, the sea of blue signifies the unwavering support for MI, with fans showcasing their allegiance through flags, jerseys, and chants of “Rohit,” painting a vibrant picture of unity and passion. The history between MI and GT is rife with close encounters, adding to the stakes of the match as both teams vie for a victorious start to their IPL 2024 campaign.

The Titans’ Anticipation

GT’s recent victory over MI, with Shubman Gill’s stellar century, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the clash as both teams prepare to renew their rivalry on the field. The Titans’ camp pulsates with anticipation as they aim to replicate their previous success and establish dominance in the IPL 2024 season.

As the excitement reaches a crescendo, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown between MI and GT, with fans eagerly awaiting the spectacle unfolding on the cricketing field.

57th Match, IPL: Mumbai Indians 218 for 5 (Suryakumar 103*, Rashid 4-30) beat Gujarat Titans 191 for 8 (Rashid 79*, Madhwal 3-31) by 27 runs

For a brief period, it seemed as though Suryakumar Yadav would really complete a T20 without playing a single shot that made individuals’ jaws drop. After that, he made an incredible six. It moved him to his first IPL century and Mumbai Indians to an agreeable triumph over the reigning champs Gujarat Titans.

Do you know how Kane Williamson gets singles by dabs to third man? Suryakumar entered the same area, with the exception of crossing the boundary. On the off stump, he just saw a ball. He was aware he could penetrate it. He opened his face when he made contact, just like Williamson does, and then used his strength in his forearms and wrists to do the rest.

This is Suryakumar. He sees T20 cricket differently than anyone else.

Rashid ends up a footnote

The Titans knew that winning this game would not only guarantee them a spot in the playoffs but also give them two chances to reach the championship game.

And to make it happen, they turned to their main man. In a format that remains hostile to his kind, Rashid Khan took four wickets for 30 runs. Suryakumar spent 49 balls proving that bowlers and their plans exist in order for batters to come in and rip them all to shreds. This continues to this day.

Yet, Rashid wouldn’t buy that. He had Rohit Sharma get slip with a stunning legbreak. He upset Ishan Kishan with a simple length change, and his planned sweep shot fell short against a ball that was too full for it. The Titans saved Rashid’s final six balls for their matchup with Tim David. The stakes are very high. It was the seventeenth over. David comes to life at this point. However, Rashid eliminated him for five out of three, so he could not.

This kind of instantaneous production of wickets is rare. When the opposition comes at them hard, even fewer are able to do so.

Suryakumar Yadav turns it on

At the point when Mumbai lost their third wicket in the 10th over, they spent a short time scoring simply a run a ball. 15 off 15. Then they crashed 32 times in 10 seconds.

Vishnu Vinod, a Kerala wicketkeeper making his Mumbai debut, carved Mohammed Shami for a six that was hard to believe. Because of his quick hands and wicket wrists, a ball that ended up on top of the off stump was scythed over point.

If SKY hadn’t done SKY things, that would have ended the game.

To reach his fifty, he had to hit 32 balls. That was slow for him, and he was using conventional pitches to start his innings. The main extravagance he managed at the cost of himself were those straight sixes, where his weight is generally on the back foot, straight up to the place where he meets the ball, and afterward he bounces, lifting both himself and the ball up off the ground. He does this to gain leverage. It’s his very own thing.

Rashid then removed David, and something snapped. At the beginning of the 18th over, Suryakumar was 53 off 34. He hit Mohit Sharma for three fours and a six, bringing his total from 40 to 73. Then, at that point, he met Mohammed Shami in the nineteenth over and played a front-foot drive for six over third man, by simply opening the essence of the bat. On 97, with only one ball remaining in the innings, he finally did what he has done to fast bowlers all over the world: he swept Alzarri Joseph past the square leg boundary from the outside off stump into the crowd.

Rashid or bust for Titans

On par with what Titans are in a pursuit, they were facing it rapidly when each of their main three players succumbed to single digits. Between them, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Wriddhiman Saha scored 12 runs.

With a charming little cameo, Vijay Shankar maintained the possibility of the improbable. However, he was bowled by Piyush Chawla’s first ball of the match, ending the 34-year-old IPL legend’s career with 18 wickets.

On the other side, a rookie player who was 29 years old was having the time of his life. Because Mumbai’s bowling attack was causing so much trouble, Akash Madhwal entered the tournament. This was only his fourth IPL match and his 26th T20 match. Additionally, he already demonstrates a willingness to work hard. bowling at the last minute, bowling to heavyweights, and bowling with games at stake

Madhwal owns a gorgeous yorkie. What’s more, presently, it seems his different balls are comparably lethal, in light of the fact that when he hits a hard length, they continue to slide through. He bowled Gill with a lower-than-expected ball that stayed in the air. He also used David Miller’s lbw the same way.

Rashid also led the Titans with the bat, scoring 79 runs off 32 balls and 10 sixes, his highest T20s score. 191 for 8 in 20 overs, an increase of 103 for 8 in 14 overs. However, it still fell 27 short. Imagine being three-fourths of the way to a century, taking one less than five wickets, and still losing the game.

MI vs GT Match Preview

On Friday evening, the Mumbai Indians will face the Gujarat Titans in match 57 of the 2023 Indian Premier League at the Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai Indians are third in the table with 12 points from 11 games. Gujarat Titans lead the table with 16 points from 11 games. The Mumbai Indians are in their best form of the tournament and look unstoppable at the plate. Despite the fact that they are playing against the table toppers, they have a good chance of winning again. Gujarat Titans won the competition in 2022, are currently leading the league, and appear to be the strongest team again this season. They will be fired up for this trip to Wankhede Stadium.

MI vs GT Match Details

Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans – 57th Match

Venue: Wankhede Stadium – Mumbai

Date & Time: 12th May 2023 at 07:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Jio Cinema

MI vs GT Venue Stats

MI vs GT Pitch Report

There is no doubt that this is a strong batting wicket, with Mumbai Indians reaching their target of 200 with 21 balls remaining against Royal Challengers Bangalore. A par score of around 210 is expected.

MI vs GT Weather Report

The forecast calls for sunny skies to begin the game and clear skies throughout. The humidity level will exceed 70% by the end of the competition.

MI vs GT Last Five Matches

MI vs GT Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

MI vs GT Probable Playing XIs:

Mumbai Indians Probable Playing XIs

Ishan Kishan (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Cameron Green, Chris Jordan, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal

Gujarat Titans Probable Playing XIs

Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Vijay Shankar, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Abhinav Manohar, Mohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmed

Topmost Picks for MI vs GT Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Mumbai Indians

• Suryakumar Yadav – When the right-handed top-order batter is playing well he is absolutely unstoppable. His strike rate of 186.14 is higher than any of his previous IPL campaigns.
• Piyush Chawla – The spinner has been remarkably consistent this year and has picked up wickets in every match apart from in the two clashes with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Top Picks – Gujarat Titans

• Shubman Gill – The classy right-handed opener took the Player of the Match Award in the last game and only Faf du Plessis and Yashasvi Jaiswal have hit more runs in the IPL 2023.
• Rashid Khan – The Afghanistan spinner has never taken less than 17 wickets in an IPL season and needs three more dismissals to get his highest tally of wickets during an IPL campaign.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for MI vs GT Dream11 Team:

Wriddhiman Saha, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Nehal Wadhera, Cameron Green(C), Hardik Pandya(VC), Piyush Chawla, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for MI vs GT Dream11 Team:

Wriddhiman Saha, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill(C), Vijay Shankar, Suryakumar Yadav(VC), Nehal Wadhera, Cameron Green, Hardik Pandya, Piyush Chawla, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Cameron Green, Shubman Gill

Vice-captain – Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav

Wicketkeeper – Wriddhiman Saha

MI vs GT Probable Winners:

This appears to be another closely contested IPL match, with Mumbai Indians blowing recent opponents away with the strength of their batting and Gujarat Titans proving to be simply too good for most teams throughout the tournament. We expect the Mumbai Indians to put up a strong fight against the Titans, but the combination of Rashid Khan and Mohammed Shami will be crucial. We believe Gujarat Titans will win because they have the best bowlers in the tournament. Considering the team combination, Gujarat Titans is expected to win this match.

The Mumbai Indians are coming back strongly and have shown that they can more than easily take down 200+ totals. With Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, Tilak Varma and Cameron Green, the middle-order looks very devastating, and full of sixes. Add Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma at the top and Nehal Wadhera, who has been a surprise package, and the Mumbai Indians have a power packed line-up as they once did. Gujarat though are no less. With both bat and ball they have so much depth and it will be interesting to see how their bowling takes on Mumbai’s batting.

MI vs GT Match Details

Date: May 12th, 2023

Time:  7:30 PM IST

Venue: Mumbai

MI vs GT Weather Report

The temperatures are rising in Mumbai with a warm evening very likely.

MI vs GT Pitch Report

The pitch used for the previous game was dry and low with a lot of spin making batting first a better option.

MI vs GT Head-to-Head

MI vs GT Predicted Playing XII

MI Playing XI

Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Piyush Chawla, Chris Jordan, Jason Behrendorff, Kumar Karthikeya

GT Playing XI

Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya, Abhinav Manohar, Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Noor Ahmad

MI vs GT Key Players

Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan was taken apart the other night. The batters feasted on him and he will be very eager to comeback with a really good performance in the upcoming game. Normally, after being taken for a lot of runs, Khan does have the tendency of coming back really well and GT will be hoping he provides again for them.

Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan is doing the job. He is getting his side off to really good starts with each game and has been making a strong statement up front. With a really good set of hitters behind him, the momentum from Kishan will be very important against a strong bowling attack.

GT’s Top Five Batters This Season

MI’s Top Five Batters This Season

GT’s Top Five Bowlers This Season

MI’s Top Five Bowlers This Season

MI vs GT Match Tips

Gujarat should come in as favorites with a line-up that has been firing in all aspects and with players stepping up when needed with ease.

Match Prediction: Gujarat Titans Win the Match