<p>Mullanpur: Redemption will be high on the minds of Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians when the two forces, determined to wipe away the agony of 2024, collide in a winner-takes-all Eliminator clash here on Friday. </p>.<p>Ever since they came into existence in 2022 season, Gujarat Titans have instantly emerged as one of the forces in the IPL. From winning the league in their maiden attempt to topping the table next year, when they lost to eventual champions Chennai Super Kings in a cracking final, to punching their ticket for the playoffs this season, Gujarat have been consistently dominant.</p>.<p>The only aberration was last season when skipper Hardik Pandya chose to return ‘home’ to Mumbai Indians. The shocking move rattled Gujarat Titans and the team struggled to adjust to the life under new skipper Shubman Gill, finishing eighth in the standings.</p>.<p>Good teams and strong players always find a way back from setbacks and they’ve shown it this season by playing some outstanding cricket to become the first entrants in the playoffs. In fact, they were well on course to topping the table before an inexplicable slide saw them finish third, which has now put them in a spot against Mumbai.</p>.<p>Although Gujarat hold the wood over Mumbai with five wins in seven meetings, they’ll be aware how dangerous the five-time champions could be, especially in such high-stakes matches. And just like how GT are determined to right the wrongs of 2024, Mumbai have the same fire burning inside them.</p>.<p>When the MI management replaced Rohit Sharma with Hardik as the skipper last year, they felt it could be the start of good things. Things, however, went sour instantly. Hardik, despite being a pivotal part of four MI title triumphs, was openly booed by the fans at the Wankhede Stadium. That never paints a rosy picture and MI struggled throughout, finishing at the bottom of the pack.</p>.<p>MI management, however, stuck with Hardik, and the 31-year-old, one of the grittiest personalities, has not only rallied his troops sensationally this season but lifted his game too. He has got the team to play the kind of cricket many are used to seeing MI dish out and has won over the fans again, with many now dreaming of a sixth triumph.</p>.<p>So Friday is certain to witness a charged-up atmosphere at the new PCA Stadium on the outskirts of Chandigarh, with both teams forced to alter their plans following the release of key players for national duty. Of the two sides, GT appear to be affected a lot more with the absence of Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford. Buttler, with 538 runs, was one of their batting mainstays, while Rutherford pitched in handsomely with 267 runs. This means the onus will be on Sai Sudharsan (679) and Gill (649), the top two run scorers overall this season, to yet again do the heavy lifting.</p>.<p>The key players missing for MI will be Ryan Rickleton (388) and Will Jacks (233), but the readymade availability of Jonny Bairstow, a dangerous player despite his powers on the wane, should cushion the blow somewhat.</p>.<p>Both Gill and Hardik will be wanting to outdo each other for various reasons and something is gotta give on Friday night. </p>.<p><strong>GUJARAT TITANS</strong></p>.<p><strong>Strengths</strong></p>.<p>The phenomenal form of openers Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill has been the standout feature for GT this season. Sudharsan, the current Orange Cap holder with 679 runs, has been outstanding in taking his game to another level. Gill, with 649 runs, has batted with a purpose in his mind, determined to show why he is the present and the future. If the two get going on Friday, then it could spell doom for MI. Their bowling, with arguably the best Indian core, has been impressive. And if it can strike a rhythm, Mumbai will have a tough time dealing with it.</p>.<p><strong>Weaknesses</strong></p>.<p>The big worry for GT will be if the middle-order can step up in case there’s a top-order collapse. GT will be missing the services of one-drop Jos Buttler (538) and middle-order batter Sherfane Rutherford (267), who have left for national duty. The duo were solid support acts for Sudharsan and Gill and their absence is certain to leave a void. Finishers Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia haven’t really had too much time in the middle, so they will have their hands full if they are summoned. Their bowlers have had their off days, especially in the last two games.</p>.<p><strong>MUMBAI INDIANS</strong></p>.<p><strong>Strengths</strong></p>.<p>Some teams are just monsters when it comes to delivering in crunch situations and Mumbai Indians are one among them. With a record-equalling five titles, MI just love the big matches and it’s that collective self-belief that will hold them in good stead on Friday. Plus they have champion players like Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, all who can single-handedly change the course of a game.</p>.<p><strong>Weaknesses</strong></p>.<p>One big worry for MI this season has been the batting inconsistencies. Suryakumar has been solid right throughout with 640 runs but the rest of the pack like Rohit, Hardik and Tilak Varma have blown hot and blown cold. There have been moments when they have fired but they are yet to deliver collectively. MI will also miss the services of Ryan Rickelton (388), their second highest run scorer, who is out on national duty.</p>.<p>Quote - </p>.<p>This one (defeat in the last league match against CSK) would be a hard pill to swallow for us. The bright side is that we have two or three games (in Playoffs) left so boys will be motivated to play in Mohali.</p>.<p><strong>Shubman Gill</strong></p>.<p>Quote - </p>.<p>Batting we’ll figure out what is the right template on right tracks and if we bat first what is the pace we want to bat. (There are a) couple of things which we need to identify but I don’t think there is panic.</p>.<p><strong>Hardik Pandya</strong></p>
<p>Mullanpur: Redemption will be high on the minds of Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians when the two forces, determined to wipe away the agony of 2024, collide in a winner-takes-all Eliminator clash here on Friday. </p>.<p>Ever since they came into existence in 2022 season, Gujarat Titans have instantly emerged as one of the forces in the IPL. From winning the league in their maiden attempt to topping the table next year, when they lost to eventual champions Chennai Super Kings in a cracking final, to punching their ticket for the playoffs this season, Gujarat have been consistently dominant.</p>.<p>The only aberration was last season when skipper Hardik Pandya chose to return ‘home’ to Mumbai Indians. The shocking move rattled Gujarat Titans and the team struggled to adjust to the life under new skipper Shubman Gill, finishing eighth in the standings.</p>.<p>Good teams and strong players always find a way back from setbacks and they’ve shown it this season by playing some outstanding cricket to become the first entrants in the playoffs. In fact, they were well on course to topping the table before an inexplicable slide saw them finish third, which has now put them in a spot against Mumbai.</p>.<p>Although Gujarat hold the wood over Mumbai with five wins in seven meetings, they’ll be aware how dangerous the five-time champions could be, especially in such high-stakes matches. And just like how GT are determined to right the wrongs of 2024, Mumbai have the same fire burning inside them.</p>.<p>When the MI management replaced Rohit Sharma with Hardik as the skipper last year, they felt it could be the start of good things. Things, however, went sour instantly. Hardik, despite being a pivotal part of four MI title triumphs, was openly booed by the fans at the Wankhede Stadium. That never paints a rosy picture and MI struggled throughout, finishing at the bottom of the pack.</p>.<p>MI management, however, stuck with Hardik, and the 31-year-old, one of the grittiest personalities, has not only rallied his troops sensationally this season but lifted his game too. He has got the team to play the kind of cricket many are used to seeing MI dish out and has won over the fans again, with many now dreaming of a sixth triumph.</p>.<p>So Friday is certain to witness a charged-up atmosphere at the new PCA Stadium on the outskirts of Chandigarh, with both teams forced to alter their plans following the release of key players for national duty. Of the two sides, GT appear to be affected a lot more with the absence of Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford. Buttler, with 538 runs, was one of their batting mainstays, while Rutherford pitched in handsomely with 267 runs. This means the onus will be on Sai Sudharsan (679) and Gill (649), the top two run scorers overall this season, to yet again do the heavy lifting.</p>.<p>The key players missing for MI will be Ryan Rickleton (388) and Will Jacks (233), but the readymade availability of Jonny Bairstow, a dangerous player despite his powers on the wane, should cushion the blow somewhat.</p>.<p>Both Gill and Hardik will be wanting to outdo each other for various reasons and something is gotta give on Friday night. </p>.<p><strong>GUJARAT TITANS</strong></p>.<p><strong>Strengths</strong></p>.<p>The phenomenal form of openers Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill has been the standout feature for GT this season. Sudharsan, the current Orange Cap holder with 679 runs, has been outstanding in taking his game to another level. Gill, with 649 runs, has batted with a purpose in his mind, determined to show why he is the present and the future. If the two get going on Friday, then it could spell doom for MI. Their bowling, with arguably the best Indian core, has been impressive. And if it can strike a rhythm, Mumbai will have a tough time dealing with it.</p>.<p><strong>Weaknesses</strong></p>.<p>The big worry for GT will be if the middle-order can step up in case there’s a top-order collapse. GT will be missing the services of one-drop Jos Buttler (538) and middle-order batter Sherfane Rutherford (267), who have left for national duty. The duo were solid support acts for Sudharsan and Gill and their absence is certain to leave a void. Finishers Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia haven’t really had too much time in the middle, so they will have their hands full if they are summoned. Their bowlers have had their off days, especially in the last two games.</p>.<p><strong>MUMBAI INDIANS</strong></p>.<p><strong>Strengths</strong></p>.<p>Some teams are just monsters when it comes to delivering in crunch situations and Mumbai Indians are one among them. With a record-equalling five titles, MI just love the big matches and it’s that collective self-belief that will hold them in good stead on Friday. Plus they have champion players like Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, all who can single-handedly change the course of a game.</p>.<p><strong>Weaknesses</strong></p>.<p>One big worry for MI this season has been the batting inconsistencies. Suryakumar has been solid right throughout with 640 runs but the rest of the pack like Rohit, Hardik and Tilak Varma have blown hot and blown cold. There have been moments when they have fired but they are yet to deliver collectively. MI will also miss the services of Ryan Rickelton (388), their second highest run scorer, who is out on national duty.</p>.<p>Quote - </p>.<p>This one (defeat in the last league match against CSK) would be a hard pill to swallow for us. The bright side is that we have two or three games (in Playoffs) left so boys will be motivated to play in Mohali.</p>.<p><strong>Shubman Gill</strong></p>.<p>Quote - </p>.<p>Batting we’ll figure out what is the right template on right tracks and if we bat first what is the pace we want to bat. (There are a) couple of things which we need to identify but I don’t think there is panic.</p>.<p><strong>Hardik Pandya</strong></p>