Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians Predictions: The winning team will set up a clash against CSK in the final.

Playing in their second qualifier of the season Gujarat Titans will welcome Mumbai Indians at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on 26th May. The winning team will set up a clash against CSK in the final. Who will win this game?

The Gujarat Titans, as the reigning champions, have had a remarkable performance in the group stages of this season. They emerged victorious in 10 out of 14 matches, securing the top position on the table. However, their journey was interrupted by a loss to the Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1, which means they now have to take a detour to reach the finals.

Shubhman Gill has been an exceptional performer throughout the season. His consistency in the opening position for the Titans has been noteworthy, placing him second in the race for the Orange Cap, with a mere 8-run difference from Du Plessis. While Gill remains a crucial batsman for his team in this match, he will also seek better support from Wriddhiman Saha at the opposite end.

Vijay Shankar and Hardik Pandya have showcased their batting prowess in the middle order, yet higher expectations lie upon them. David Miller and Rahul Tewatia have experienced a dip in form, but the Titans benefit from a deep batting lineup. In terms of bowling, Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan have enjoyed their best-ever seasons in the IPL and currently lead the chart as the top two bowlers.

This duo will play a pivotal role against the power hitters from MI. Mohit Sharma has also contributed significantly by taking numerous wickets, despite being slightly expensive. Additionally, Noor Ahmad has proven to be a valuable asset during the middle overs.

Undoubtedly, the Gujarat Titans stand among the strongest teams in the league, but they must strive to reduce their over-reliance on Shubhman Gill when it comes to batting.

Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Joshua Little, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami

Following their familiar pattern over the past few seasons, the Mumbai Indians have once again found their stride at the perfect time after a slow start. There was a point where the Mumbai Indians appeared destined for an early exit from the group stage. However, an impressive resurgence from key players allowed them to secure a fourth-place finish.

With a resounding victory over LSG in the Eliminator, the Mumbai Indians have reaffirmed their status as strong contenders for the title.

Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma will be aiming to provide the team with a quick start. While Kishan has been in excellent form with the bat, Sharma has experienced some occasional rustiness and will be eager to regain his touch in this match. Cameron Green and Suryakumar Yadav have been in outstanding form, accumulating a significant number of runs in recent weeks.

Their objective will be to seize control of the game by playing aggressive shots. The return of Tilak Varma brings stability to the middle order. The Mumbai Indians possess formidable power hitters towards the lower end of the batting lineup. Nehal Wadhera and Tim David have made valuable contributions throughout the season, capable of scoring quick runs during the death overs.

Initially, the absence of Jasprit Bumrah made the bowling department a major weakness for the team. However, the Mumbai Indians appear to have struck the right balance between youth and experience. Piyush Chawla has been the leading wicket-taker thus far and will seek to maintain his impressive form.

Jason Behrendorff and Chris Jordan are expected to open the bowling with the new ball, while Akash Madhwal will once again play a crucial role towards the end of the innings.

Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Kumar Kartikeya, Chris Jordan, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff, Akash Madhwal

Although the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium has witnessed a slight decrease in pace since the beginning of the tournament, it remains a favourable surface for batting. Historically, the average first-inning score hovers around 185 runs. The pitch offers a decent bounce, and the presence of patches of grass provides an opportunity for the faster bowlers to take advantage. As the match unfolds, we can anticipate the emergence of rough patches on the pitch, which could influence the behaviour of the ball. Additionally, the weather forecast predicts warm conditions with temperatures ranging between 32-36 degrees Celsius. We expect Gujarat to come away with victory with a good record at home and having been rested more than MI.