It’s 2022. We are in Ahmedabad, where Hardik Pandya, in his first-ever stint as captain leads Indian Premier League (IPL) debutants Gujarat Titans to their maiden trophy. The following year, he returns to the same stadium, playing another final for the same team but with a different result. A year later, in 2024, though, the final isn’t in Ahmedabad, GT aren’t playing it, and Hardik Pandya is no longer a part of them. He switched to his ex-team, Mumbai Indians, earning face fans’ fury in the process as well.
As he gears up to walk on Ahmedabad’s soil again, has the resentment toned down, or will the frustration that crossed into disrespect last year will turn all MI vs GT contests into a needless rivalry?
Team Overview:
Vignesh Puthur, for a brief instant in their opening game, assured Mumbai there was nothing to worry about. His wrist spin worked magically on the Chepauk pitch. That and a short stint of brilliance from Will Jacks and Ryan Rickleton was all Mumbai would want to remember from their last game. The scoring in middle overs, especially, were stifled by the spinners and Mumbai had no answer for that.
With Hardik Pandya coming back to the side after serving a penalty for a slow-over offense from last season and MI set to play on conditions better-suited to their skill, they will hope this game brings them their first joy this season.
Despite many hopes for the opposite to happen, Suryakumar Yadav’s lean spell, in both international cricket and IPL, has not subsided yet. He managed a paltry 29 in the game against CSK. MI can’t afford for this streak to go on any longer, and they would be hoping for Ahmedabad’s batting-frinedly deck to contribute to his rejuvenation.
Gujarat Titans fell astray in the powerplay during their opening game versus Punjab Kings. They conceded 73 runs in the first six overs and from that moment on the game kept drifting away from them.
Sai Kishore and Sai Sudharsan helped them get on the track but it was not too late before they fell behind the asking rate again. The top-order batting did pretty well but they had no answer to PBKS’s middle-over brilliance. Though Shubman Gill stuck to his new all-out mindset, his stay on the field a little longer could have turned the game in their favour.
Head-to-Head Matches:
GT have been better side in their clashes against Mumbai Indians. They won three games in comparison to MI’s two wins.
Weather and Pitch Report:
It’s Ahmedabad, and of course it will have plenty of runs on offer. Dew played a significant role in the second innings in the last game, which challenged the death bowlers, especially spinners, a lot. Another dry day is forecasted in Ahmedabad. The toss-winning captain will look to chase to stay away from the impacts of dew.
Where to Watch:
India: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar
UK: Sky Sports, SkyGo
USA: Willow TV
Australia: Kayo TV, FoxTel Go
Bangladesh: T Sports, Toffee app
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
Afghanistan: ATN
South Africa: SuperSport
Sri Lanka: Dialog
MENA: Cricbuzz
