Match: Team Gujarat vs Team Mumbai, (GUJ vs MUM, Qualifier 2)

Date: May 26, 2023 – 7:30 PM IST

Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad 

The Indian T20 League 2023 is just a couple of games away from crowning the champion. Four-time champions Chennai have already secured their spot in the final. For the second spot, it will be Team Mumbai and Team Gujarat taking on each other in Qualifier 2 at Ahmedabad on Friday.

The defending champions Gujarat topped the group stage with 20 points, winning 10 out of 14 matches. But then they had to face Chennai at Chepauk, a fortress for the men in yellow. Gujarat lost the match by 15 runs but they get another shot at the final for finishing in the top two. 

Hardik Pandya chose to bowl first but their bowlers could not get through the Chennai opening duo quickly. Mohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami bagged two wickets each but Gujarat still conceded 172. In response, they could not build any partnerships or momentum. Shubman Gill scored 42 off 38 but couldn’t kick on. Rashid Khan fought with 30 off 16 at the back end but didn’t have any support.

The five-time champions Mumbai had to battle several challenges to reach the playoffs. They did it with eight wins and some help from none other than Gujarat. Mumbai faced Lucknow in the eliminator at Chepauk, in conditions suitable for Lucknow but came out on top by 81 runs.

Batting first, Mumbai batters were aggressive from the get go. Cameron Green top-scored with 41 off 23 while Suryakumar Yadav struck 33 off 20. Nehal Wadhera came in as an impact sub and smashed a 12-ball 23 to push the total to 182. Akash Madhwal then produced a spell to remember for ages. He snared 5 wickets for just 5 runs in 3.3 overs Mumbai clinched a dominant victory.

Earlier in the season, these two teams faced each other twice. Gujarat won the first game by 55 runs while Mumbai claimed the second by 27 runs. Expect a thrilling battle between the two rivals on Friday. 

Pitch Report and Weather Forecast for GUJ vs MUM, Qualifier 2

The Ahmedabad venue has provided assistance for new ball pacers and spinners. But despite that, batting teams have put up big scores this season. From seven matches hosted here in the ongoing tournament, the average first innings score stands at 187.

The weather in Ahmedabad is expected to be mostly clear and breezy on Friday evening. There is no real threat of rain with the temperature around 30 degrees.

Team Gujarat – Expected XI and Team News 

Team Gujarat made a brave call to play Darshan Nalkande in the first qualifier. It didn’t quite work out and they could revert back to Yash Dayal. Vijay Shankar was brought in as an impact sub and he should get a game here as well. Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan and Mohammed Shami are top fantasy picks from this side. 

Probable XI – Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Dasun Shanaka, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma 

Team Mumbai – Expected XI and Team News 

Team Mumbai made a couple of changes last game. Tilak Varma has returned to full fitness and took his place in the middle order. Nehal Wadhera was used as an impact sub and played down the order. Hrithik Shokeen played the Eliminator but should make way for Kumar Kartikeya. Ishan Kishan, Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav and Piyush Chawla are must picks from Mumbai’s side. 

Probable XI – Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Chris Jordan, Piyush Chawla, Kumar Kartikeya, Jason Behrendorff

Head to Head record of GUJ vs MUM 

Total Encounters – 3

Team Gujarat won – 1

Team Mumbai won – 2

Best Captaincy Picks for the GUJ vs MUM match

Rashid Khan: Bowler, Team Gujarat  

The King Khan has been a prolific wicket-taker in the league. He has picked 25 wickets from 15 matches this season, conceding runs at 7.91. The last time he faced Mumbai, Rashid claimed 4 for 30 with the ball before hammering 79* off 32 balls. He is a top C/VC option for this game.

Shubman Gill: Batter, Team Gujarat  

Shubman Gill has upped his T20 game to a new level in the last few months. He recorded two back to back hundreds in the group stage and followed it up with 42 in the first qualifier. Shubman has amassed 722 runs in the season at 55 average and 149 strike rate, with two hundreds and four fifties.

Suryakumar Yadav: Batter, Team Mumbai  

Suryakumar Yadav is arguably the best T20 batter in the world and has been key for Mumbai’s success. He has smashed 544 runs in the competition at a strike rate of 184 while averaging 42. SKY has hit four fifties and a hundred that came against Gujarat. He remains a good C/VC option.

Top Differential Picks 

Tilak Varma: Batter, Team Mumbai  

The young left hander returned in the previous game after an injury. His ownership has dropped to just 31% and he could be a great differential pick. Tilak Varma has scored 300 runs from 10 innings at 43 average and 154. 

Mohit Sharma: Bowler, Team Gujarat  

Mohit Sharma has been terrific for Gujarat this season. He has taken 19 scalps from 12 games at a strike rate of 12.2. The right arm seamer is picked by 45% of the fantasy teams and could be a good differential.

MPL Fantasy XI 

Where and what time to watch the match live in India 

Star Sports Network has acquired the television rights of the Indian T20 League 2023 while Viacom 18 have bagged the digital rights. You can watch the matches on Star Sports channels or stream online on Jio Cinema. 

Note: The players recommended here need not be a part of the Playing 11 on game day. Users are advised to do their own research also and follow official sources and create their teams.