The Gujarat Titans (GT) have had a mixed journey in the IPL so far. They started strong in their first two seasons by reaching the top two. But this season, things didn’t go well, and now they are fighting in the Eliminator match. Their opponent? The five-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), are a team used to handling big pressure moments.
Both teams are facing problems with player availability, so they are depending on new players to keep their dreams alive in IPL 2025.
GT is missing Jos Buttler and Kagiso Rabada. To cover one spot, they’ve brought in Kusal Mendis.
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MI has lost Will Jacks, Corbin Bosch, and Ryan Rickelton. They’ve added Charith Asalanka, Richard Gleeson, and Jonny Bairstow for the playoffs.
The big Eliminator match will be played on Friday, May 30, at Mullanpur. If GT wants to win and move ahead, here are three smart things they must do:
1. Rashid Khan Must Bowl Tight and Focused Overs
Rashid Khan is not in his best form this season. In 14 matches, he has only 9 wickets with an economy of 9.47, which is very high for a world-class spinner like him. He’s been bowling too many loose balls, and batters are taking advantage of it.
But this is the moment Rashid needs to step up. GT needs him to be the match-winner he has always been. If Rashid bowls well, he can control the middle overs and keep MI’s strong batting line-up in check. With Buttler and Rabada missing, Rashid’s performance becomes even more important.
Extra Tip: Rashid should try slower balls and aim for a good length, especially against big hitters like Suryakumar Yadav. One good spell from Rashid can change the game.
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2. Gerald Coetzee Should Use His Bounce and Speed to Break MI’s Momentum
GT is also missing Rabada in the pace attack, but they have good options like Prasidh Krishna and Arshad Khan. Krishna is doing well, and Arshad can bowl well in the powerplay. But the real problem starts in the middle overs.
This is where Gerald Coetzee can make a difference. The South African fast bowler can bowl fast and bounce the ball. If he bowls short and fast, he can trouble MI batsmen who want to settle down.
Interesting Point: Coetzee has already taken Tilak Varma’s wicket twice in five matches and kept Hardik Pandya quiet with just 6 runs off 13 balls. His smart bowling could support the spinners and stop MI from building a big score.
3. Gill and Sudharsan Must Build a Strong Opening Stand
Jos Buttler was a strong No. 3 option for GT. With him gone, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have more pressure on their shoulders. The middle order – including Mendis, Rutherford, and Shah Rukh Khan – is not very strong, and might not handle pressure well if early wickets fall.
This is why Gill and Sudharsan must play carefully in the beginning. They should avoid risky shots and only go for calculated hits. If they survive the first 6 overs and build a solid base, it will give the middle order time and confidence.
Smart Strategy: Sudharsan has been dismissed by Trent Boult twice this season. He must avoid repeating the same mistakes. Gill also needs to play smart cricket and not lose his wicket early.
Also Read: Who Was The First Cricketer To Score Six Sixes In An Over?
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