Match 56: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans – IPL 2025 Preview

Match Details

Points Table: Mumbai Indians currently lead the standings, with Gujarat Titans occupying 2nd place on 14 points (one fewer game played). MI have been unbeaten so far, while GT have won 7 of 8 games.
Playoff Race: A win for MI would virtually secure a top-two finish; a GT win would draw them level on points (with net run-rate deciding seeding). Both sides are locked in for the playoffs, but this match will influence home/away advantage.

Mumbai Indians: Riding a winning streak (at least 6 straight wins entering this game), MI’s batting is led by captain Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma, with Suryakumar Yadav anchoring the middle order. Suryakumar has scored ~475 runs this season (third highest in IPL 2025), and Ishan Kishan/Tilak Varma add firepower. In bowling, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult have been prolific – Boult has 16 wickets– supported by all-rounders Hardik and Romario Shepherd.
Gujarat Titans: GT started strong (7 wins in first 8) but stumbled recently. Key batters are Shubman Gill (captain), Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler. Sudharsan leads GT with ~504 runs, Buttler has ~470, and Gill ~465. Their bowling is spearheaded by Prasidh Krishna (Purple Cap leader with 19 wickets) and overseas pace Mohammed Siraj (14 wickets). Leg-spinner Rashid Khan and veteran all-rounder Rahul Tewatia provide crucial spin options.

Kagiso Rabada (GT): Cleared to play after serving a one-month suspension for a doping violation. His return adds a potent pace bowling option for GT.
Hardik Pandya: Now MI’s captain (after moving back from GT), bolstering MI’s batting and seam bowling.
There are no new injury concerns reported for MI; both teams are expected to field near-full-strength XIs.

Mumbai Indians (probable XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Tim David, Will Jacks, Romario Shepherd, Jasprit Bumrah, Luke Wood, Gerald Coetzee.
Strategy: Exploit home conditions with aggressive batting up front. Use Bumrah/Wood/Coetzee to get early wickets and rely on spin/all-rounders in middle overs. Batting deep – MI will aim to post 180+ or chase confidently.
Gujarat Titans (probable XI): Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Sherfane Rutherford, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammad Siraj, Rashid Khan, Nishant Sindhu.
Strategy: GT’s plan hinges on their top order firing (Gill/Sudharsan/Buttler). New-ball pair Rabada and Prasidh to unsettle MI’s top order; Rashid/Sundar/Tewatia to control middle overs. Expect GT to bat aggressively and use depth in spin as MI bat last in the anticipated dew.

Recent Meetings: GT have had the upper hand. In IPL 2023, GT beat MI twice – in a league match (207/6 vs 152/9, GT won by 55 runs) and in Qualifier 2 (233/3 vs 171, GT won by 62 runs). In 2024, GT edged MI by 6 runs (168/6 vs 162/9). Earlier in 2025, GT also won their first encounter by 36 runs (Ahmedabad).
Overall: MI have yet to register a win against GT in IPL play. Gujarat’s consistent record (especially at Ahmedabad) will be a psychological edge.

Pitch (Wankhede): A batting-friendly surface is expected. Historically, games here favor stroke-makers (short boundaries) but with some help for pacers (consistent bounce) and spinners (some turn as match progresses). Evening dew is likely, so the toss-winning team may prefer to field first. High-scoring contest is predicted if batters capitalize early.
Weather: Warm and humid. Forecast ~30 °C at start, dropping to ~29 °C by late evening. Humidity 25–41%. Skies mostly cloudy, with negligible rain chance (~2%) during the match. Early summer heat but generally dry conditions expected.

Mumbai: A victory would reinforce MI’s top-two spot and give them momentum heading into playoffs.
Gujarat: A win would bring GT level on points with MI (assuming MI’s standing), likely taking second place on NRR, keeping pressure on all top contenders. Either way, both teams are positioned for qualification, but seeding/NRR will be on the line.

Sources: Official IPL match data and news (schedule, points table, stats)