Defending champions Gujarat Titans will face five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in an IPL 2023 clash at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on May 12. MI, led by Rohit Sharma, are in good form after their convincing win against RCB in the previous game, where they comfortably chased down a target of 200. With six wins out of eleven matches, MI currently holds the fourth position on the points table.
MI had a slow start to the season with defeats against RCB and CSK but quickly bounced back with three consecutive wins against DC, KKR, and SRH. They suffered back-to-back losses against PBKS and defending champions Gujarat Titans. However, they showcased their batting prowess by successfully chasing down 213 against RR and 215 against PBKS. Suryakumar Yadav’s explosive knock of 83 off 35 balls led MI to a six-wicket victory in their latest match against RCB.
Key players for MI include Tilak Varma, who has scored 274 runs, and Ishan Kishan, who has been in good form with 335 runs. However, skipper Rohit Sharma has struggled with inconsistency, managing only 191 runs in 11 games. MI will be hoping for his resurgence to answer his critics. Cameron Green has contributed significantly with 274 runs, while Suryakumar Yadav leads the team with 376 runs this season.
MI’s matches have often followed a similar pattern, with their bowlers conceding high scores, but the batsmen have managed to rescue the team with explosive innings. Chris Jordan’s inclusion in the previous game didn’t yield positive results, and Riley Meredith might be given a chance in the upcoming match. Jason Behrendorff and Riley Meredith have taken 18 wickets together, but their economy rates have been high.
The standout performer for MI this season has been Piyush Chawla, who leads the team’s wicket-takers with 17 dismissals at an economy rate of 7. Hrithik Shokeen, Arjun Tendulkar, and others have also made valuable contributions with important wickets. Arshad Khan’s expensive spells might lead to his exclusion, with Akash Madhwal likely to retain his place. The final composition of the team will be determined based on the selection of spinners and potential impact players.
Expected MI Playing XI: Openers: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk). Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David. All-rounder: Cameron Green. Bowlers: Riley Meredith, Jason Behrendorff, Piyush Chawla, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal