Rohit Sharma:
Shubman batted well, wicket was good. They got 20-25 extra. We were positive after the first-half. Greeny and Surya batted well but we lost our way. We wanted to give it a good crack, be positive. We couldn’t get going in the powerplay. We wanted one batter, like Gujarat did, and take the game deep where anything can happen on a good pitch and a ground with a small boundary. But credit to GT, who played well. Kishan’s concussion was unexpected.
It was a last-minute change. We had to adapt, to different conditions and situations. Not looking at that though. Playing this game, qualifying and coming this far is big, the batting has been a big positive we can take into the next season. All the bowling teams have been challenged. We had a great performance last game. We have to credit Shubman. I hope he continues that form (laughs). Tim’s been given a role this season, I wanted to send Vishnu up. It didn’t work out today.
Hardik Pandya:
Lot of hard work has gone behind it, guys have worked hard and their success is reflecting. Shubman’s clarity and amazing innings is what’s keeping him on top. He wasn’t rushed or not in control at any point. He’s a superstar who will do big things for the franchise and the country. My job is to keep the boys in a good space. Everyone has taken responsibility which has been fantastic. Rashid has been amazing, especially when we’ve not been in a commanding position. Irrespective of the result, if we play our best cricket we should do well in the final.
Shubman Gill, POTM:
Playing ball-to-ball, assessing the situation is important. The over I hit three sixes is where I felt it was my day. It was a good wicket to bat on and I wanted to maximise scoring. (On six hitting) Not a conscious decision, you want to keep evolving. Belief is more important, helps when you’re coming off a good international season. Success has been a combination of a lot of things. WI tour last year began change. I was injured in 2021 which is when I worked on my batting I made technical changes as well. (Handling expectations) It doesn’t matter when you make your way into the playing field. This is my best innings so far in the IPL.
Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians Highlights today, Friday 26-5-2023. Qualifier 2 (N), Indian Premier League 2023, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Rohit:
There is a bit of weather around and the pitch is also sticky. As the game goes on, the pitch will get better and better. More than anything else, it’s our comfort and the guys are comfortable having a score in front of them. In Chennai, we wanted to bat first, according to the conditions.
This is a different [MI] team and we have come across many situations like this. Hopefully, it’s just another game for us and it’s important to put your best foot forward. The youngsters have come along well and they’re quite confident and that’s probably one of the reasons why we wanted to chase. One change: Kartikeya in for Shokeen.
Hardik:
We would have bowled first as well, looking at the rain, but it looks like a good track. I think we all have seen no matter how the group stage goes, qualifiers are fun. It’s important to enjoy [the occasion] and the boys are motivated. I know the ground and the way the crowd supports us. The support is brilliant. Yeah with full throttle (will you bowl today?) Two changes: Little in for Shanaka and Sai Sudharsan in for Nalkande.
Toss: MI opt to chase.
Gujarat Titans team: 1 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 B Sai Sudharsan, 4 Vijay Shankar, 5 Hardik Pandya (capt), 6 David Miller, 7 Rahul Tewatia, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Mohit Sharma, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Mohammed Shami
Mumbai Indians team: 1 Ishan Kishan (wk), 2 Rohit Sharma (capt), 3 Cam Green, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Tim David, 7 Chris Jordan, 8 Piyush Chawla, 9 Jason Behrendorff, 10 Kumar Kartikeya, 11 Akash Madhwal
Head to Head In T20’s: 3
Gujarat Titans Won: 1
Mumbai Indians Won: 2
Form guide
(last five completed Matches, most recent first)
Gujarat Titans LWWWL
Mumbai Indians WWLWW
Match Timings: 2:00 PM GMT | 7:30 PM Local
Umpires – Nitin Menon, Rod Tucker
TV Umpire – Jayaraman Madanagopal
Match Referee – Javagal Srinath
Reserve Umpire – KN Ananthapadmanabhan
Match number – IPL 2023 – Eliminator
IPL Points Table
Pitch and weather:
It has touched 43 degrees in Ahmedabad. Curators have covered the pitch to ensure it doesn’t break down abnormally. The pitch for the game is among the least used strips – the centre has nine surfaces – and is being brought in to seemingly provide a run fest.
It has been watered adequately to ensure some amount of moisture helps bind it underneath. The curator expects good pace and bounce like all season. Dew isn’t expected to be a major factor, helped by the chemical they use to prevent its formation.
