Among the title favourites but battling a loss of momentum, Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans will be up against the mighty Mumbai Indians, who also have issues to be addressed, in the winner-takes-all IPL Eliminator here on Friday.
It is a knock-out game but both sides are used to the stage with Mumbai Indians being the five-time champions. Titans have made the play-offs thrice in the last four seasons, including the trophy-winning run on their debut in 2022.
However, both Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya, have a point to prove. Gill, the newly appointed India Test captain, would build up his leadership credentials immensely if Titans go all the way.
Hardik has got the love of the fans back after being booed on his return to the team last year and an IPL trophy will cement his place in the list of the fabled greats of the franchise.
But in their pursuit of glory, both leaders must find a way to address the issues at hand.
Titans have more to be worried about as they have lost momentum going into the play-offs. Having conceded 465 runs in their last two defeats, they need to up their game with the ball.