Injury Concerns for Gujarat Titans Ahead of Crucial MI Clash. Ahead of their crucial clash against the Mumbai Indians on Friday (May 26), the Gujarat Titans are grappling with injury concerns. The two teams are set to face off in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

While the Gujarat Titans suffered a defeat by 15 runs against the Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier, the Mumbai Indians stunned the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) with an 81-run victory. With a spot in the final at stake, both teams would ideally want all their players to be available and injury-free. However, the defending champions find themselves facing a setback as one of their pacers, Darshan Nalkande, appeared to be hobbling after his bowling spell against CSK.

Nalkande made his first appearance in IPL 2023 during the first qualifier, where he conceded 44 runs but managed to take the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane. His day could have been better had he not overstepped in his very first over, resulting in the dismissal of Ruturaj Gaikwad being nullified. Unfortunately, things did not improve for Nalkande throughout the rest of the match, with CSK batsmen attacking him.

As Nalkande seemed to be limping after completing his spell in the previous game, the Gujarat Titans are now concerned about his fitness. There is currently no update on his condition, and it remains to be seen whether the Titans will be forced to make a change to their playing XI.

If necessary, Yash Dayal could be considered as a replacement, or even Josh Little could make a comeback. However, such a change might require Dasun Shanaka to be dropped in order to maintain the limit of four overseas players in the lineup.

Gujarat Titans Squad:

1. Wriddhiman Saha (Wicketkeeper)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Hardik Pandya (Captain)
4. Vijay Shankar
5. David Miller
6. Dasun Shanaka
7. Rahul Tewatia
8. Rashid Khan
9. Darshan Nalkande
10. Noor Ahmad
11. Mohammed Shami
12. Mohit Sharma
13. Sai Sudharsan
14. Srikar Bharat
15. Jayant Yadav
16. Shivam Mavi
17. Joshua Little
18. Pradeep Sangwan
19. Matthew Wade
20. Abhinav Manohar
21. Odean Smith
22. Alzarri Joseph
23. Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore
24. Urvil Patel
25. Yash Dayal

Just a few years ago, Akash Madhwal was working as an engineer and playing tennis-ball cricket, but today he has etched his name in the record books of the Indian Premier League.

The 29-year-old speedster delivered a remarkable performance in the playoffs, claiming exceptional figures of 5-5. His outstanding contribution propelled the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians, to a resounding victory over the Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday.
As Mumbai Indians gear up to face the Gujarat Titans on Friday, a win would secure their spot in the final against the Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. With star bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer sidelined due to injuries, Akash Madhwal, previously unrecognized, has seized the opportunity to showcase his talent and shine brightly.

Last year, Akash Madhwal joined the Mumbai Indians as a replacement for an injured player, but his opportunities were limited to practice matches. However, this season, captain Rohit Sharma recognized his potential and provided him with an opportunity to perform on the grand stage.

Following his exceptional performance, Madhwal expressed his gratitude to the team for entrusting him with responsibility. Speaking to reporters after being named the Man of the Match, he humbly stated, “I am trying to fulfill the role given to me by the team. I understand that I cannot replace someone like Bumrah, but I am doing my best within my capabilities.” Madhwal’s journey to becoming a part of IPL history, as the first player to achieve a five-wicket haul in the playoffs, took an unconventional path. He made the decision to leave his stable job as a civil engineer and dedicated himself to his state team before receiving an opportunity to join the IPL.

“Cricketer is not just a profession for me; it is my passion,” Madhwal emphasized. “I left engineering and a job to pursue my passion wholeheartedly, and I am enjoying every moment of it, despite not having much support at home.”

Madhwal’s cricket journey has been shaped by his involvement in tennis-ball cricket, a popular variant of the sport in India that utilizes tennis balls. This unique form of cricket played a significant role in his impressive performance.

In tennis-ball cricket, Madhwal honed his skill of bowling yorkers, a delivery aimed at the batsman’s feet. He attributes this technique to his success and emphasizes its effectiveness in preventing runs. Hailing from Uttarakhand, a northern state in India, Madhwal recognizes his strengths and appreciates how his teammate, Rohit, strategically utilized him based on his proficiency and the team’s requirements.

Madhwal’s recent achievement builds upon his previous accomplishment of figures of 4-37 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The only standout performance to overshadow his remarkable display was the match-winning century scored by Mumbai’s Cameron Green, who was bought for a hefty sum.

Despite not fitting the stereotype of a tall and robust fast bowler, standing at 1.75 meters (five feet and nine inches), Madhwal compensates for his physical stature with remarkable accuracy and determination. Rohit acknowledges their knowledge of Madhwal’s capabilities and their need for a bowler during the crucial stages of the game. With confidence in Madhwal’s abilities, Rohit entrusted him to deliver for the team.

With his bearded and often-smiling demeanor, Madhwal made an instant impact by dismissing two batsmen in consecutive balls, including the dangerous Nicholas Pooran who departed without scoring a run, causing a setback for Lucknow. Zaheer Khan, a former Indian fast bowler, expressed his anticipation for more impressive performances from the young talent through a tweet.

Opportunities haven’t come easily for Madhwal. Initially serving as a net bowler for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019, he later joined Mumbai in the same role. However, Madhwal, who has captained his state team in 50-overs cricket, never lost hope. He emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise, citing the chance given to him by the scouting team as a net bowler. Madhwal understands the significance of showcasing his skills and potential in practice matches.

Madhwal’s journey demonstrates the value of persistence and grabbing opportunities when they present themselves.

In a remarkable display of skill, the Mumbai Indians emerged victorious against the Lucknow Super Giants, defeating them by a staggering 81 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) clash held on Wednesday. This triumph not only eliminated Lucknow from the tournament but also kept Mumbai’s own hopes of reaching the final alive.
Seamer Akash Madhwal showcased an exceptional performance, claiming an impressive five wickets while conceding only five runs in his 3.3 overs. His bowling prowess dismantled the Lucknow batting lineup, restricting them to a mere 101 runs in 16.3 overs. Mumbai had earlier set a target of 182-8.

Looking ahead, Mumbai Indians are set to face the reigning champions, Gujarat Titans, in a crucial match on Friday. The winner of this clash will secure a spot in Sunday’s final, where they will take on the formidable Chennai Super Kings.

Opting to bat first, Mumbai got off to a lively start but suffered an early setback with the loss of both their openers, skipper Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, within the powerplay overs. However, Cameron Green (41) and Suryakumar Yadav (33) resurrected Mumbai’s innings. Unfortunately, Naveen-ul-Haq (4-38) dismissed both batsmen in the same over, causing a setback for Mumbai.

Despite accumulating 51 runs in the last five overs, Mumbai fell short of the coveted 200-run mark, which had seemed within reach earlier in the innings.

Madhwal’s exceptional performance put Lucknow on the defensive from the start, and three crucial run-outs further hampered their chase, allowing Mumbai to take control of the game. Although Marcus Stoinis managed to smash a quickfire 40 off 27 balls, a collision with his batting partner, Deepak Hooda, during a run between wickets resulted in Stoinis’ run-out. This triggered a collapse from which Lucknow could not recover.

Reflecting on Madhwal’s outstanding performance, Mumbai teammate Cameron Green praised him, stating, “Madhwal has been phenomenal. From the moment he stepped on the field, we realized he possesses something special.”

The Eliminator match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to witness an intense battle between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Mumbai Indians (MI) on Wednesday, May 24. Both teams have displayed great resilience to secure their spots in the top four of the IPL 2023. LSG has emerged victorious in their last three matches, while MI gained momentum during the latter half of the season. Additionally, MI received a stroke of luck when the Gujarat Titans defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), allowing them to climb to the fourth position. Despite facing multiple injury setbacks throughout their campaign, MI has performed exceptionally well.

Notably, the young sensation Tilak Varma played a crucial role as their top batter in the initial matches before unfortunately sustaining an injury. He has been absent from the team since the game against the Punjab Kings on May 3, and his fitness status has been surrounded by suspense. However, there is good news as Tilak Varma appears to have made a complete recovery and regained full fitness.

While there has been no official announcement regarding this matter, Tilak Varma was listed as one of the substitutes in the previous game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Additionally, he was prepared to bat as he was seen padded up in the dugout, although he didn’t get the opportunity to go out to the crease due to Cameron Green’s exceptional century.

As the Eliminator match against LSG approaches, Tilak Varma could potentially continue in the role of an impact substitute, depending on the toss result. If MI is batting first, he is likely to be included in the playing XI and will be eager to make a significant impact on the game with his batting skills.

Cameron Green’s Record-breaking Century Leads Mumbai Indians to Crucial Victory in IPL Play-offs Race.

In a remarkable display of power hitting, Australia’s Cameron Green smashed his maiden T20 century to guide the Mumbai Indians to a resounding eight-wicket triumph over the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday. Green’s unbeaten knock of 100 runs off just 47 deliveries, accompanied by a crucial partnership of 128 runs with captain Rohit Sharma (56), propelled Mumbai to chase down a challenging target of 201 at their home ground, the Wankhede Stadium.

With this victory, the Mumbai Indians, who have clinched the IPL title a remarkable five times, have kept their hopes alive for a playoff spot. Their fate now hinges on the outcome of the second match of the day between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and defending champions Gujarat Titans. Should Bangalore secure a victory, Mumbai’s chances will be extinguished, but a defeat for Bangalore would grant Mumbai the coveted spot in the playoffs.

The result of this match also eliminated the Rajasthan Royals from contention, leaving Bangalore, captained by Faf du Plessis, in the race for the final playoff spot. Bangalore must secure a win in their next match to advance, while a loss would open the door for Mumbai to progress.

Top-ranked Gujarat Titans and second-placed Chennai Super Kings are set to clash in the upcoming first qualifier, while Lucknow, securing their playoff berth, await their opponent in the eliminator round. The victor of the first qualifier will secure a direct spot in the final, scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad on May 28th. The losing team will face the winner of the eliminator match.

Cameron Green, Mumbai’s significant acquisition for $2.11 million in the auction, delivered a standout performance on Sunday, smashing eight fours and eight sixes.

Following the departure of captain Rohit Sharma, Green continued the onslaught and formed an unbeaten partnership with Suryakumar Yadav, who contributed 25 runs, leading Mumbai to their eighth victory in 14 group matches. Medium-pace bowler Akash Madhwal played a crucial role, claiming figures of 4-37 to limit Hyderabad to a total of 200-5. The total could have been larger, but disciplined bowling prevented Hyderabad from posting a more formidable score.

Opener Mayank Agarwal (83) and Vivrant Sharma (69) laid a solid foundation with a 140-run partnership. However, the departures of Sharma and Agarwal triggered a collapse in Hyderabad’s batting lineup.

Hyderabad finished at the bottom of the 10-team table, ending their campaign with the wooden spoon.

On Tuesday, Lucknow Super Giants kept their playoff hopes alive with a five-run victory over Mumbai Indians in the IPL, thanks to Marcus Stoinis’ unbeaten 89 and Mohsin Khan’s last-over heroics. Despite Tim David’s unbeaten 32 off 19 balls, Mumbai could not achieve their target of 178 runs as Mohsin Khan defended 11 runs in the final over, displaying his left-arm quick skills with figures of 1-26. Yash Thakur and Ravi Bishnoi also contributed to Lucknow’s victory by taking two wickets each to strengthen their bowling attack. Lucknow, who currently stands in third place, moved ahead of five-time winners Mumbai in their quest for a top-four finish and a playoff spot in the group stage.

Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged that his team did not perform well enough to win, stating “We just lost the game. We didn’t play well enough to win…Unfortunate but we need to keep our heads high.” Gujarat Titans have already secured their place and a top-two finish in the playoffs, while seven out of the 10 teams are vying for the remaining three spots.

Marcus Stoinis played a key role in Lucknow’s victory by forming crucial partnerships, including an 89-run stand with captain Krunal Pandya who retired hurt on 49, as they finished at 177-3. Stoinis, who came in at 35-3, rebuilt the innings with Pandya on a challenging pitch. Despite Pandya retiring due to cramps, Stoinis accelerated his innings and hit a six to complete his fifty, followed by a 24-run over against Chris Jordan.

Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis put together an unbeaten 60-run partnership off just 24 balls, with Stoinis hitting a six to finish the innings. Stoinis, who was named the man of the match, remarked that their team doesn’t rely on any one superstar, but rather has different players who perform well when it counts.
Mumbai started strong in their chase, with Ishan Kishan scoring 59 and Rohit Sharma contributing 37 in a 90-run opening stand. However, Yash Thakur dismissed Suryakumar Yadav for seven and Ravi Bishnoi sent both Kishan and Rohit back to the pavilion, causing Mumbai to slip to 145-5 in 17.4 overs. Despite Tim David’s attempt to lead the chase with Cameron Green, Mohsin Khan, and Lucknow were able to keep their cool and seal the victory.