Hardik Pandya’s much-awaited comeback after a one-match suspension brings much-needed balance to Mumbai Indians (MI). As they prepare to face Gujarat Titans (GT) on Saturday, both teams are eager to secure their first win in IPL 2025.
Both Teams Seek First Victory
To begin with, MI struggled in their opening match, losing to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by four wickets. Similarly, Gujarat Titans faced disappointment, falling short by 11 runs against Punjab Kings in a high-scoring encounter.
After their first game, MI took a short break at Reliance’s Jamnagar facility. During this time, the team focused on relaxation and bonding activities. However, despite the break, MI’s challenges remain. The absence of Jasprit Bumrah was evident, and missing Pandya in the first match only made things worse.
Pandya’s Comeback Brings Stability
Fortunately, Pandya is back, and his presence adds depth to MI’s squad. Notably, he is India’s only pace-bowling all-rounder, making him a game-changer with both bat and ball. However, his return could mean that Robin Minz might have to sit out.
Additionally, MI’s batting lineup did not look strong on Chepauk’s slow surface. But on a positive note, Ahmedabad’s conditions will be much more favorable for batters. The first match at this venue saw a staggering 475 runs, with Punjab Kings scoring 243 and Gujarat Titans putting up 232. This suggests that Saturday’s match could be another high-scoring contest.
Gujarat’s Bowling Struggles
On the other hand, Gujarat Titans have their own set of problems. Most importantly, their bowling attack lacks consistency. Mohammed Siraj had a tough outing in the first match, conceding 54 runs as Punjab Kings’ batters dominated him. Consequently, GT lacks experienced Indian pacers, which puts immense pressure on Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan.
Moreover, both teams are still struggling to finalize their ideal overseas player combinations. For MI, the situation is even more concerning because Suryakumar Yadav has been out of form for nearly a year. In addition, Rohit Sharma’s performances have been inconsistent, adding to the team’s worries.
MI’s Key Challenges
Despite these concerns, Pandya’s return is a big boost. Not only does he strengthen the batting lineup, but he can also take the new ball if needed. Furthermore, he has the ability to deliver wide yorkers in the death overs, a skill that Punjab Kings’ Vyshak Vijaykumar used effectively in their previous match.
Another major issue for MI is wicket-keeping. The team relies heavily on Ryan Rickelton. Meanwhile, Robin Minz, who played as a specialist batter, looked uncomfortable in the first game.
Similarly, MI’s young left-arm wrist spinner, Vignesh Puthur, impressed with three wickets against CSK. However, the conditions at Motera will be quite different from Chepauk. Since the pitch in Ahmedabad offers minimal turn, how Pandya manages the youngster will be crucial.
Gujarat’s Plans and Gill’s Captaincy Test
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans will depend on Shubman Gill’s performance with the bat. His form will be a key factor in the team’s success. Furthermore, the team might consider including Glenn Phillips, who also bowls off-spin, as a better alternative in the playing XI.
However, GT’s biggest challenge remains their bowling attack. Most of their Indian pacers—Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Ishant Sharma—rely heavily on short-pitched deliveries. As a result, none of them, except for Rabada, have the variations needed to trouble batters.
Squads
Gujarat Titans: Jos Buttler, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Mahipal Lomror, Karim Janat, Kulwant Khejroliya, Anuj Rawat, Gerald Coetzee, Sherfane Rutherford, Manav Suthar, Kumar Kushagra, Arshad Khan, Gurnoor Brar, Nishant Sindhu.
Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Shrijith Krishnan (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Raj Angad Bawa, Vignesh Puthur, Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Karn Sharma, Deepak Chahar, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley, VS Penmetsa, Arjun Tendulkar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah.
All things considered, Pandya’s return strengthens MI significantly. However, Gujarat Titans must address their bowling concerns to avoid another loss. Since both teams are still searching for their first win, Saturday’s clash promises to be an intense battle.
