The preview provided is for an Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match between the Mumbai Indians and the Gujarat Titans, scheduled to take place on May 12, 2023, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The article discusses the playing conditions, surface conditions, and the performances of the teams and players in the IPL so far.
The article begins with a quote from former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, who had heaved a sigh of relief and said, “Thank God, I am retired,” after watching Mumbai Indians chase down a target of 200 runs in just 16 overs in their previous match. The article notes that high scores have become a norm in the current IPL season, with totals of 200 runs being chased down regularly.
The Wankhede Stadium, where the match is scheduled to take place, is described as a belter and a nightmare for bowlers, with run-fests being witnessed in recent matches. The article notes that Mumbai Indians had chased down targets of 213 and 215 runs in their previous matches at the Wankhede, and the trend is likely to continue in the upcoming match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans.
The article also quotes Mumbai pacer Jason Behrendorff and teammate Kumar Kathikeya on their strategies to control the run rate. Behrendorff suggests bowling outside the batsmen’s hitting arcs and making them hit in specific areas, while Kathikeya stresses the importance of focusing on the basics and controlling the run rate.
Vikram Solanki, the director of cricket of the Gujarat Titans, agrees that taking wickets is the best way to control the run rate in T20 cricket. However, he also acknowledges that it is tough for the bowlers in the current IPL season, with the impact player rule lengthening the batting line-ups. He adds that experienced bowlers like Mohammed Shami can lead by example and come up with plans to control the run rate.
The article notes that both Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans have power hitters in their sides, and another high-scoring match is expected. However, the focus could be on Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma, who has been out of form in the IPL so far, scoring just 191 runs in 11 games. The article suggests that Mumbai Indians will need Sharma to fire if they are to progress to the next stage of the tournament.
The article provides details on the venue, head-to-head record, likely changes to the playing XI, and the match-ups between the players. It notes that Sharma’s record against Gujarat Titans’ Rashid is not great, with three dismissals in 21 balls and just 23 runs. However, the article also suggests that Sharma’s record against Shami is not great either, with 57 off 51 balls and two dismissals.
In conclusion, the preview provides a detailed analysis of the upcoming IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans, focusing on the playing conditions, surface conditions, team and player performances, and likely strategies.
Playing XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Ishan Kishan(w), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Tilak Varma, Chris Jordan, Piyush Chawla, Kumar Kartikeya, Jason Behrendorff
Playing XI: Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya(c), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami
