Image Credit- MI
The man Mumbai
Indians had helped them find and turn into one of the world’s top all-rounders
left them two seasons ago to take charge of a brand-new IPL team in his native
state. In addition, Hardik Pandya had great success in his debut IPL captaincy,
helping the Gujarat Titans win the 2022 title and go to the 2023 final.
Additionally, at the conclusion of the league stage in both seasons, they had
topped the points table.
Now, he makes his
way back to Ahmedabad as Mumbai’s captain, having been the subject of what may
have been the biggest pre-auction player transfer in IPL history. For Hardik
returned not just to the team that developed him but also to take over as their
leader from a five-time champion. Also, a lot of attention will be paid to how
he and Rohit Sharma interact on the pitch on Sunday night.
The Titans had to
choose a new captain following Hardik’s exit, and Shubman Gill—last season’s
top run scorer—was the clear choice. However, Gill has very little leadership
experience; he has only captained his state side Punjab in two Twenty20
matches, just like the captain he succeeded. In the Titans setup, will another
inexperienced leader ascend to the skies?
Mumbai hasn’t made it to a final since 2020, the year they won their fifth
championship, despite Titans having advanced to one in the previous two
seasons. They’ve been without a trophy for the longest time since 2013.
Mumbai’s No. 3
player, Suryakumar Yadav, is currently recuperating at the National Cricket
Academy in Bengaluru following ankle surgery, and the team’s two overseas
quicks, Dilshan Madushanka and Jason Behrendorff, are out for the season due to
injuries. Additionally, Gerald Coetzee is not ready to play against the Titans.
The replacement players for Mumbai are the overseas quicks, Luke Wood of
England and Kwena Maphaka, a teenage star from South Africa.
The leading
wicket-taker from the previous campaign, Mohammed Shami, is out for the Titans
as he recovers from ankle surgery. Due to injuries sustained in a bike
accident, Jharkhand wicketkeeper Robin Minz, who was acquired by Titans for INR
3.6 crore, was also ruled out of the season. Sandeep Warrier of Tamil Nadu and
BR Sharath of Karnataka were named as the replacements. Matthew Wade is playing
in the Sheffield Shield final in Australia, therefore he hasn’t arrived for the
Titans yet.