State of Play
Almost 10 months after losing the IPL 2023 final against Chennai Super Kings, the Gujarat Titans return to action in pursuit of a second title in their three years of existence when they host the Mumbai Indians at Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
There will be an added element of spice to the Titans’ opening fixture of 2024 after captain Hardik Pandya moved to the Indians, while India captain Rohit Sharma and international team-mate Jasprit Bumrah make the visitors a force to be reckoned with.
Shubman Gill has succeeded Pandya as Titans captain – a move they will hope does not affect his batting after Gill scored 890 runs from 17 matches as a 23-year-old last season.
Despite the quality of their squad, Mumbai have gone three campaigns without a title, claiming third place last season after finishing bottom in 2022.
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The five-time champions are favourites to repeat the trick this time around, with their opening opponents considered dark horses behind Chennai, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals.
The Titans have signed Sandeep Warrier to replace injured pacer Mohammed Shami, while fast bowler Kwena Maphaka – a 17-year-old still in high school – has replaced Dilshan Madushanka, who has been ruled out for the entire season through injury, for the Indians.
“We have a history of not starting well in the competition, so we have addressed that,” says Indians head coach Mark Boucher.
“Hopefully we will find one or two things that we feel we can do within the squad to be more ready for the first game and get off to a good start. I’m not looking to put pressure on the players.”
Expected line-ups
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Wriddhiman Saha, B. Sai Sudarshan, Kane Williamson, Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Jayant Yadav.
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, Dewald Brevis, N. Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Mohammad Nabi, Kumar Kartikeya, Jasprit Bumrah, Jason Behrendorff.
𝔾𝕆𝕆𝔻 𝕍𝕀𝔹𝔼𝕊 𝕆ℕ𝕃𝕐 🫂💙#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians | @HardikPandya7 pic.twitter.com/bMvaO7fjhD
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 22, 2024
How to watch
Sky have the rights to show the IPL to UK viewers in 2024 and will broadcast every game live. Sunday’s game will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket from 1.50pm GMT.
Prediction
On a pitch giving both teams potential for high scores, this match could hinge on how either side copes with the key players they have been shorn of through sales and injuries.
Pandya will serve as an all-rounder as part of a potent Indians bowling attack which should see Boucher’s players justify their status as pre-season favourites.
