12 May,2023 11:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan between wickets (Pic: AFP)
Resurgent Mumbai Indians are likely to be tested to the hilt by defending champions Gujarat Titans in what will be a vital Indian Premier League encounter at Wankhede on Friday. For the first time this season, the five-time champions have looked promising as they rose to the third spot in the points table with a six-wicket thumping of Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday. Chasing 200 inside 17 overs, MI's innings showcased how successful their batting has been, even though for the second consecutive game they reshuffled the order in a bid to push their net run rate.
Despite captain Rohit Sharma's prolonged lean patch with five single-digit scores on the trot, MI's batting has been nearly unstoppable at Wankhede as they successfully chased a target of 200 or above twice in three attempts. Even against Punjab Kings, MI replied with 201 for 6 while chasing 215.
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However, the issue for MI this year is not restricted to Rohit's form or the absence of Jasprit Bumrah or Jofra Archer, but their death overs bowling which have time and again seen them conceding four consecutive totals above 200, and nearly did so versus RCB again. In the last three games here, opposition sides have raked up 214/8, 212/7 and 199/6, making the most of a flat wicket and perfect batting conditions, something that GT would also like to target.
With eight wins in 11 matches, GT are on the brink of making it to the playoffs and being the first team to do so.
Skipper Hardik Pandya and coach Ashish Nehra have successfully managed a conducive environment for the players who have flourished for the franchise this year as well, emerging as a strong contender for the title for the second year in a row.
The highlight for GT is that they have not lost any of their away games and all three losses have so far come at their home ground in Ahmedabad.
Wicketkeepers: Wriddhiman Saha, Ishan Kishan
Batters: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Nehal Wadhera
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Cameron Green
Bowlers: Piyush Chawla, Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Jofra Archer, Arshad Khan, Jason Behrendorff, Dewald Brevis, Piyush Chawla, Tim David, Raghav Goyal, Cameron Green, Ishan Kishan (wk), Duan Jansen, Chris Jordan, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Riley Meredith, Shams Mulani, Ramandeep Singh, Sandeep Warrier, Hrithik Shokeen, Tristan Stubbs, Arjun Tendulkar, Tilak Varma, Vishnu Vinod, Nehal Wadhera, Suryakumar Yadav.
Gujarat Titans: Hardik Pandya (c), Shubman Gill, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Sai Sudharsan, Wriddhiman Saha, Matthew Wade, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Pradeep Sangwan, Darshan Nalkande, Jayant Yadav, R. Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad, Dasun Shanaka, Odean Smith, KS Bharat, Shivam Mavi, Urvil Patel, Joshua Little and Mohit Sharma.
Mumbai Indians: Ishan Kishan (wk), Rohit Sharma (capt), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma/Tristan Stubbs, Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Piyush Chawla, 9 Kumar Kartikeya/Raghav Goyal, Chris Jordan Akash Madhwal
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Shami
Gujarat Titans' captain Hardik Pandya won toss, elected to bowl first against Mumbai Indians.
Mumbai Indians: Ishan Kishan(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Chris Jordan, Vishnu Vinod, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff, Kumar Kartikeya
Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha(w), Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya(c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Abhinav Manohar, Mohit Sharma, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph, Noor Ahmad
11:40 PM: Mumbai Indians win by 27 runs
Mumbai Indians played a nearly flawless game, and their performance at this stage of the season suggests that they are reaching their peak at just the right time. Rohit Sharma found his form, Suryakumar Yadav continued his impressive run, Vishnu Vinod made the most of his opportunity, Arjun Tendulkar impressed with the new ball, and Piyush Chawla took crucial wickets in the middle overs. Gujarat Titans never really got going in their chase, losing three wickets in the powerplay and a couple more soon after. Although David Miller and Rahul Tewatia provided some resistance, they both fell in consecutive deliveries, effectively ending the game. However, Rashid Khan's entertaining 21-ball fifty ensured that Gujarat Titans lost by a smaller margin.
11:23 PM: 141/8 (17 overs)
In stylish fashion, Rashid Khan stepped back and unleashed a powerful pull shot for a six, as Green opted for a short delivery. This remarkable shot marked Rashid Khan's maiden Indian T20 League.
11:10 PM: 121/8 (15 overs)
Kartikeya knocks out Noor Ahmad's stumps! The batsman took a chance with a charge, but was deceived by the delivery's length. Kartikeya adjusted and pulled it back, leaving Noor swinging and missing. The ball crashed into the top of the stumps, sending Noor back to the pavilion after a brief stint of 1 run off 3 balls.
11:00 PM: 103/7 (13 overs)
Piyush Chawla claims his second wicket as Rahul Tewatia departs, caught by Green in the deep! Tewatia looks stunned as he finds the fielder with his shot, and two of GT's finishers have now been dismissed off consecutive deliveries. With this wicket, MI are very close to victory. Chawla bowled a wrong 'un around leg-stump, and Tewatia attempted a slog sweep but failed to hit it cleanly. Tewatia scored 14 runs off 13 deliveries, which included 1 boundary.
10:50 PM: 100/7 (12 overs)
David Miller falls prey to Akash Madhwal's bowling, as he gets LBW'd! This is Madhwal's third wicket of the match, and all three have been due to the batters playing across the line and getting hit on the pad or losing their stumps. Miller attempted a pull shot, but Madhwal bowled a slower ball that skidded on and went under the swinging bat, resulting in Miller's dismissal. Miller scored 41 runs off 26 deliveries, which included 4 boundaries and 2 sixes.
10:30 PM: 56/5 (9 overs)
Abhinav Manohar is bowled out by Kartikeya! The procession of dismissals continues, as another batter falls victim to playing across the line. This is the third such dismissal today, with Saha, Gill, and now Manohar all perishing while attempting the pull shot. Manohar scored 2 runs off 3 deliveries.
10:15 PM: 49/4 (8 overs)
Piyush Chawla bowls Shankar and he is bowled out! After dismissing Rohit in the first innings, Chawla has taken another crucial wicket, that too right after the powerplay and the timeout. Shankar looks bemused and is staring at the pitch and then the wicket. It was a superb wrong 'un from Chawla, and Shankar failed to pick it, resulting in his dismissal. Shankar scored 29 runs off 14 deliveries, including 6 boundaries.
10:00 PM: 26/3 (6 overs)
Shubman Gill's off-stump goes cartwheeling as he gets bowled by Akash Madhwal! The skiddy Madhwal has undone another horizontal shot, and this time it's a massive wicket for his team. The delivery was back of a length around off-stump, and Gill thought it was short enough to pull. However, it zipped through off the surface, and went under his bat to hit the stumps. Gill scored 6 runs off 9 deliveries.
9:50 PM: 17/2 (5 overs)
Hardik Pandya departs Caught by Ishan Kishan off Behrendorff's delivery! Mumbai Indians get a perfect start with this wicket. Behrendorff bowled a good length delivery across the off-stump, and Pandya tried to slog it down the ground without proper footwork. However, he only managed to get an outside edge, and Kishan took a comfortable catch behind the stumps. This wicket has put a dent in the table-toppers' chase. Pandya scored 4 runs off 3 deliveries, including a boundary.
9:40 PM: 12/2 (3 overs)
Saha, out LBW to Akash Madhwal! The umpire's delayed finger has surprised everyone. Madhwal's delivery was of good length and aimed at the middle stump. Saha attempted a pull shot, but the ball went under his bat and hit his front pad. Was it too high? No, it was just clipping the bails. The decision will stand with the umpire's call. Madhwal has been bowling with great skid off the surface, and once again the ball rushed after pitching, resulting in Saha's dismissal.
9:20 PM: Gujarat Titans need 219 runs to win
Surya's stunning strikes light up the Wankhede once again! The elusive milestone is now his, and how! With a scorching score of 218, MI reigns supreme. In the last three overs, Surya's magic was in full flow - smashing sixes over third man, sweeping over square leg, and unleashing his power down the ground. It was a spectacular display of cricketing genius!
9:00 PM: 153/4 (16 overs)
Vishnu Vinod departs after a flashy cameo, caught by Abhinav Manohar off the bowling of Mohit Sharma. The delivery was a high full toss which appeared to be below the waist, and Vinod mistimed his shot, sending the ball high in the air. The fielder at long leg held onto a well-judged catch. The third umpire was called upon to check the height of the delivery, but it was confirmed to be a legal delivery. Despite his departure, Vinod played a sparkling little knock. Meanwhile, Mohit Sharma had another excellent over, continuing his impressive form this season. The final scorecard reads Vishnu Vinod c Abhinav Manohar b Mohit Sharma 30(20) [4s-2 6s-2].
8:50 PM: 152/3 (15 overs)
SKY and Vinod steady MI's innings after Rashid Khan's heroics. SKY is playing with strike rate of 150. With 12 runs of Joseph, SKY is nearing yet another fifty. MI are looking beyond 200 with 7 wickets in hand. Let's not forget, one last over from Rashid is still to come.
8:40 PM: 96/3 (10 overs)
Nehal Wadhera has been bowled by Rashid Khan! That's his third wicket and the Afghan spin wizard is doing a great job. Rashid delivered a flatter and quicker delivery outside off, which turned out to be a wrong 'un that moved away from the left-handed batsman. Wadhera made room to cut the ball but played with hard hands, resulting in an inside edge that hit the stumps. The bails lit up, and Mumbai Indians have lost three wickets. Nehal Wadhera is dismissed for 15 runs off 7 balls, including 1 four and a six.
8:25 PM: 66/2 (10 overs)
Ishan Kishan falls to Rashid Khan's LBW trap, departs for 31. MI loses two wickets in quick succession yet again, as Rohit and Kishan depart in the same over for the second consecutive match. The ball looked to have hit Kishan's pads in line with the stumps, and the umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger. Ishan Kishan walks back to the pavilion after playing a useful knock of 31 off 20 balls, including four boundaries and a six.
8:13 PM: 65/1 (8 overs)
Rohit falls to Rashid Khan's leg-break: Caught by Rahul Tewatia! Rashid strikes immediately after the break, inducing a hint of spin that straightened with the angle, drawing Rohit forward into the defensive push, finding the edge, and Tewatia gobbles it up with ease, moving swiftly across to his left at slip. Though there were muted celebrations in the GT camp, this is a big wicket for them.
8:00 PM: 61/0 (6 overs)
MI made a superb start in the game against GT, which has led to the strategic break being called. Rohit Sharma has looked in sublime touch, while Ishan Kishan has also started to move on. However, MI will be aware that they need to score at least 200 runs on this pitch.
7:55 PM: 44/0 (4 overs)
Ishan Kishan is playing with a strike rate of 150 while Rohit is going with 200. Hardik brings the experienced Rashid next into the attack in search of a wicket.
7:40 PM: 28/0 (2 overs)
Rohit Sharma has scored 15 runs in eight balls with the help of two boundaries and a six of a pull short. Mumbai will look to make the most of the powerplay.
7:30 PM: Match begins!
Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan open the innings for the Mumbai Indians eyeing a fiery start in the powerplay. Mohit Sharma attacks the stumps for Gujarat Titans looking for an early wicket.
