This will be the first major captaincy test for India’s new Test skipper Shubman Gill. Can he inspire the Gujarat Titans, a team he has led admirably throughout the league stage, to the IPL-2025 title? Incidentally, the 2022 champions lost their last two league matches at home in Ahmedabad and will also be looking to overcome the massive void left by the absence of former England white-ball captain Jos Buttler, who exited the tournament ahead of the playoffs.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
All eyes will be on Gill when GT, who have made the playoffs thrice in the last four years, take on Mumbai Indians, who are chasing a record-extending sixth title, in the IPL-2025 Eliminator in Mullanpur on Friday.
Who's that IPL player?
With this being a knockout match, MI captain Hardik Pandya will also be under pressure, especially with his team having last won the title back in 2020. While Gill looks to build up his leadership credentials, Hardik will be relieved to have finally won back the support of MI fans after being booed at almost every venue on his return to the franchise last year. An IPL trophy would be the icing on the cake for India’s star allrounder, who incidentally led GT to the title in their maiden IPL season three years ago.
However, both captains have serious issues to resolve within their squads. GT’s recent defeats have not only robbed them of momentum but also denied them a top two finish, which would’ve given them an extra game in the playoffs. Worryingly, their bowling looked flat, conceding 235 runs for just two wickets against LSG and then 230/5 to CSK.
A key concern is that GT’s ace leg-spinner Rashid Khan hasn’t delivered as per his high standards this season, seemingly lacking sting and zip following back surgery in Nov 2023. With South African speedster Kagiso Rabada having left to prepare for the World Test Championship final against Australia, Gill will rely heavily on his Indian pace duo. Mohammed Siraj, the leader of the pace battery, has taken 15 wickets in 14 matches at 32.66, while Prasidh Krishna has been GT’s trump card this season. It will be interesting to see if GT recall off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar, who has played only five matches this season.
On the batting front, much will depend on Gill (649 runs in 14 matches at 54.08, six fifties, SR 156.38) and current Orange Cap holder Sai Sudharsan.
Like GT, MI too have been impacted by the loss of key overseas players. South African opener Ryan Rickelton, who consistently provided quick starts alongside India’s ODI captain Rohit Sharma, is on national duty. The absence of England’s Will Jacks, who was anchoring the No. 3 slot with flair, will also hurt MI.
It will also be interesting to see how veteran English wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow, one of MI’s replacement players, performs under pressure.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
All eyes will be on Gill when GT, who have made the playoffs thrice in the last four years, take on Mumbai Indians, who are chasing a record-extending sixth title, in the IPL-2025 Eliminator in Mullanpur on Friday.
Who's that IPL player?
With this being a knockout match, MI captain Hardik Pandya will also be under pressure, especially with his team having last won the title back in 2020. While Gill looks to build up his leadership credentials, Hardik will be relieved to have finally won back the support of MI fans after being booed at almost every venue on his return to the franchise last year. An IPL trophy would be the icing on the cake for India’s star allrounder, who incidentally led GT to the title in their maiden IPL season three years ago.
However, both captains have serious issues to resolve within their squads. GT’s recent defeats have not only robbed them of momentum but also denied them a top two finish, which would’ve given them an extra game in the playoffs. Worryingly, their bowling looked flat, conceding 235 runs for just two wickets against LSG and then 230/5 to CSK.
A key concern is that GT’s ace leg-spinner Rashid Khan hasn’t delivered as per his high standards this season, seemingly lacking sting and zip following back surgery in Nov 2023. With South African speedster Kagiso Rabada having left to prepare for the World Test Championship final against Australia, Gill will rely heavily on his Indian pace duo. Mohammed Siraj, the leader of the pace battery, has taken 15 wickets in 14 matches at 32.66, while Prasidh Krishna has been GT’s trump card this season. It will be interesting to see if GT recall off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar, who has played only five matches this season.
On the batting front, much will depend on Gill (649 runs in 14 matches at 54.08, six fifties, SR 156.38) and current Orange Cap holder Sai Sudharsan.
Like GT, MI too have been impacted by the loss of key overseas players. South African opener Ryan Rickelton, who consistently provided quick starts alongside India’s ODI captain Rohit Sharma, is on national duty. The absence of England’s Will Jacks, who was anchoring the No. 3 slot with flair, will also hurt MI.
It will also be interesting to see how veteran English wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow, one of MI’s replacement players, performs under pressure.
You may also like
List of gifts given to Royal Family - from a Rolls-Royce to signed Coronation Street cobble
School Director Held Over 11-Year-Old Boy's Death In Thane Wall Collapse
Bigg Boss 19 Contestants: Daisy Shah, Khushi Dubey, Shashank Vyas And More Approached For Salman Khan's Show - Report
Gogglebox's Dave and Shirley confirm Channel 4 future after sparking exit fears
Little-known savings site sees Marc Jacobs' 'perfect summer perfume' slashed from £99 to £33
