Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans (GT) and Rohit Sharma's Mumbai Indians will be up against each other in the battle of Indian Premier League (IPL) champions at the Wankhede stadium on Friday (May 12).
It will be a task cut out for Hardik's brigade to beat Paltans in their own fort as Mumbai boast of a near invincible track-record at the Wankhede stadium. However, having played for MI in the earlier years in IPL will help Hardik to crack the winning code. Hardik's brigade are stationed at the top of the points table with 16 points in their kitty and are all but qualified for the IPL playoffs. On the other hand, Mumbai, who suffered a defeat at the hands of GT in their first leg of IPL 2023, are placed fourth in the standing and will eye no less than a win to inch closer to the playoff berth.
Hardik represented MI in the IPL from 2015 to 2021 and won four titles during his stint with the Mumbai-based franchise.
Meanwhile, former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes it will be an emotional homecoming for GT skipper Hardik who rose to fame playing at Wankhede but it won't be easy for him to get the better of MI as it has always been tough for the visiting teams.
"Hardik's homecoming will be emotional. He will play a crucial match against the team at the ground where he rose to stardom. Hardik would like to prove a lot by leading his team to victory. This match will be really interesting as it will not be easy for GT to beat MI at their home and then MI would like to equalise the defeat in Ahmedabad and take a strong step towards the playoffs," Shastri said in a conversation with Star Sports' Cricket Live.
India's legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh also want MI to be wary of GT and cautioned Rohit's men to bring their ace game against the defending champions in the slugfest.
Harbhajan said, "MI will have to bring their A-Game against GT because the latter's bowling lineup is very strong. GT has Rashid, Shami and other quality bowlers. Mumbai's bowling attack, on the other hand, is weaker and they are leaking 200-plus runs. Yes, MI have chased down three consecutive 200-plus totals, but the law of averages might catch up. Also, toss is going to be very crucial in that game, if MI lose the toss, it will be tough."
Meanwhile India's two-time World Cup winning bowler S Sreesanth said, "This match between MI and GT will be very exciting. MI are playing at Wankhede. They will enter this match on the back of a big win. Hardik, on the other hand, is captaining GT brilliantly. Also, the team management of GT puts the team on the field with very good preparation. This team lives in a family ecosystem and it is easy to win in this situation."
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
After defeating KKR, here's how Rajasthan Royals can still make it to the IPL 2023 playoffs
IPL 2023: Fans blast KKR's Suyash Sharma after he bowls wide on purpose to prevent Yashasvi Jaiswal ton
