🏏IPL 2026: GT vs MI, 30th Match, at Ahmedabad - Page 6

Battle of the West - Match 30 of the 2026 Indian Premier League season brings an interesting contrast. Gujarat Titans are on the rise, while Mumbai Indians are still searching for answers, as the two sides meet at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Three on the bounce for GT - GT did not have the smoothest start, losing their first two games, but they have since found their rhythm. Three wins on the trot have pushed them right back into the mix, and they will be confident of making it four in a row. They have also enjoyed this matchup at this venue, winning all four previous meetings against MI in Ahmedabad.

Runs flow from the top - As has been the case with GT, it is their top three of Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler doing the heavy lifting. Between them, they have scored 587 of the team's 883 runs so far, underlining just how dominant they have been at the top. The flip side, though, is that the middle order has not quite clicked and does not inspire much confidence yet. The likes of Glenn Phillips and Washington Sundar are still looking to make a real impact.

Pacers making the difference - With the ball, it has largely been about the pacers, who have taken 29 of the 36 wickets. There were some concerns around Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan coming into the season, but both are starting to find their rhythm. Prasidh Krishna has continued from where he left off last season, while Ashok Sharma and Mohammed Siraj have been better than what the numbers show.

MI stuck in a rut - On the other hand, the Mumbai Indians have had a very different journey. They often start slow, but this time it has been particularly rough. They won their opening game, but that has been followed by four straight defeats, and they find themselves under immense pressure. The venue does not help their cause either. MI have lost all five games they have played at the Narendra Modi Stadium. It is not the kind of record you want to carry into a game when you are already trying to break a losing streak.

Concerns around MI's core - Their campaign has been hit by injuries and illness. Hardik Pandya mentioned at the toss in their last game that Rohit Sharma is still recovering from a hamstring injury and will need a bit more time. Mitchell Santner also missed that match due to illness, which has not helped the balance of the side. There was a bright spot in Quinton de Kock's hundred, but beyond that, there are concerns. Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have not quite found their rhythm yet, with Tilak just managing 43 runs in 5 innings.

Unusual dry run for Bumrah - The bowling has been another area of worry. Perhaps the biggest surprise has been Jasprit Bumrah going wicketless so far. He has bowled 19 overs across five games without a breakthrough, which is very unlike him. Trent Boult, too, has not had the kind of impact MI would expect, and overall, the attack has lacked the desired bite.

Bat first the way to go?

A broader trend has been developing in night games in Ahmedabad, where teams batting first have enjoyed greater success. In 2025, 6 out of 7 night matches were won by sides setting a target, while this season has been more balanced so far, with one win each for teams batting first and chasing.

Final word - GT look the more settled and confident side, while MI are still trying to piece things together. But if there is one team that knows how to turn things around, it is the Mumbai Indians. The question is whether they can do it here, or if GT continue their strong run.

A clash of contrasts - Welcome to this crucial clash in the Indian Premier League as Gujarat Titans take on Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Gujarat arrive with momentum on their side, riding a three-match winning streak and eyeing a spot in the top four, while Mumbai find themselves at the bottom after four consecutive defeats, desperately searching for a turnaround. Adding to the narrative, Mumbai knocked Gujarat out in the Eliminator last season but the hosts have won four of the last five meetings between the sides.

Gujarat Titans have won the toss and have opted to field

"MI players going through fielding drill but no sign of Rohit. He arrived with the team at 6 but has not come down. Meanwhile Krish Bhagat and Danish Malewar likely to debut for Mumbai Indians," informs our correspondent Vijay Tagore, from the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Just in - Mumbai Indians have rung in a few changes and handed debut caps to two exciting youngsters, Krish Bhagat and Danish Malewar, a clear sign that they’re looking to inject fresh energy as they search for a turnaround.

Batting first team has won 8 times out of 11

MI is Batting first

HP did not mentioned who got replaced in place of KRISH and Danish

HP has hugged Gill 3 times till now With one chummi

PITCH REPORT - Former India wicketkeeper-batter, Deep Dasgupta is near the pitch. He notes a 6-metre difference between the square boundaries, with one side at 70 metres and the other at 64, which could play a significant role. The straight boundary measures 74 metres. He adds that it is a black-soil surface, with soil sourced from Odisha. Former South Africa fast bowler, Dale Steyn also weighs in, pointing out that since 2025, Prasidh Krishna has taken 21 wickets with the short ball. He observes visible cracks on the surface and describes it as very platy, with a look similar to a Perth wicket in Western Australia. Steyn points out a wider crack on a length that looks a bit loose. That said, he believes the wicket should still play well. He mentions that while it feels like a ground where chasing is possible, the numbers suggest otherwise, with 8 of the last 11 games here being won by the side batting first. Dasgupta opines that black-soil surfaces often play better than they look and advises captains to bat first, with around 200 being a safe total.

Key stats - At the Narendra Modi Stadium, runs are expected to flow. The average first innings score in the last 10 IPL games here stands at 209, with teams batting first winning 7 of those, suggesting that putting runs on the board is key, though bowlers can still make an impact by using the longer boundaries effectively when defending totals.

TOSS - It's time for the coin-flip in Ahmedabad! Both the captains are out there alongside the ever-energetic Ravi Shastri presenting the toss. Shubman Gill gives it a flick but Hardik Pandya calls incorrectly. Gujarat Titans elect to BOWL first.

Danish is a batter

Krish is all rounder

Playing today for MI

The captain of the Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill says it looks like a decent wicket and notes there was a bit of dew in the last game. He adds that if it comes into play again, chasing might make more sense. Gill is pleased with how the team has been bowling upfront and hopes that continues, while also highlighting Rashid Khan's good work through the middle overs. Shubman says it is good to have some runs personally, especially in a long tournament like the IPL, where a strong start can set things up nicely. He adds that it is always a good challenge to play the Mumbai Indians and hopes for a good game. Informs that they are unchanged for this game.