IND vs ENG: Give Jasprit Bumrah a special contract, says Dinesh Karthik as after his latest heroics- Watch | Cricket News

IND vs ENG: Give Jasprit Bumrah a special contract, says Dinesh Karthik as after his latest heroics- Watch | Cricket News

Jasprit Bumrah (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) India’s fast-bowling maestro Jasprit Bumrah continues to redefine greatness every time he has the ball in hand, and his latest masterclass at Headingley has left both fans and former cricketers in awe. Following Bumrah’s stunning 5-83, his 14th Test five-wicket haul and third in England, veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik took to Instagram to shower praise on the pace spearhead and made a special appeal to the BCCI. “There should be a separate contract for Bumrah — not Grade A, B, C or D — but something more than that!” Karthik said in his video message, echoing the sentiments of millions who watched Bumrah dismantle England’s batting line-up yet again.Calling him a “national treasure”, Karthik didn’t mince words in underlining Bumrah’s importance to Indian cricket. “Whenever India needs a wicket, he delivers. He’s chalk and cheese above most bowlers. It’s his mind more than anything that just ticks as he knows how to pick up wickets,” Karthik said. Sitanshu Kotak press conference: Big revelation on Shubman Gill Recalling his first memories of a young, shy Bumrah at Mumbai Indians, Karthik marvelled at the bowler’s remarkable journey to becoming a world champion. “When I first saw him at MI a young, thin, so shy and today, just look at him. India needs to wrap him in cotton wool, take care of him. He needs to be there in all the big matches because when he’s there, the bowling attack looks completely different.” Bumrah’s brilliance was the highlight of England’s first innings at Headingley, where the hosts were bowled out for 465, handing India a narrow six-run lead. Despite India’s sloppy fielding as four catches were dropped off Bumrah’s bowling alone, the pacer’s spell ensured the match stayed alive and evened the contest for a thrilling second innings battle.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Meanwhile, KL Rahul’s calm unbeaten 47 and India’s steady second innings (90/2 at stumps on Day 3, with a 96-run lead) have set up an enticing final two days, weather permitting. As fans hold their breath for another Bumrah special when India defends whatever target they set, Karthik’s call for a ‘special contract’ feels more relevant than ever because, quite simply, there is only one Jasprit Bumrah.

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MLC 2025: Former U-19 World Cup-winning Indian skipper Unmukt Chand smashes quickfire fifty for Shah Rukh Khan's team - video goes viral | Cricket News

MLC 2025: Former U-19 World Cup-winning Indian skipper Unmukt Chand smashes quickfire fifty for Shah Rukh Khan’s team – video goes viral | Cricket News

Unmukt Chand smashes quickfire fifty for Shah Rukh Khan’s team Unmukt Chand made an impressive start in the Major League Cricket (MLC) season, scoring a half-century for the Los Angeles Knight Riders, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan. Playing at number 3, the former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain scored 53 runs off 32 balls with a strike rate of 165.62. His innings included 4 sixes and 4 fours.Despite Chand’s performance, LA Knight Riders fell short by 32 runs while chasing a target of 220. Andre Russell was dismissed for zero, while Sunil Narine, who typically opens for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL, batted at number 8 and scored 27 off 13 balls.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Russell and Narine, who is captaining KKR’s sister franchise in MLC, both conceded 42 runs each and took one wicket each in their four-over spells.Chand’s performance was closely watched, and he delivered with the bat. He aims to secure a spot in the USA cricket team.Watch:Although expected to lead the USA team in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Chand was not selected. He has yet to make his international debut for the USA.Chand retired from Indian cricket in August 2021 and relocated to the USA. As a US citizen, he cannot return to Indian cricket but remains eligible to play in the IPL. He has registered for the IPL 2025 mega-auction. Major League Cricket 2025 Explained: Teams, Schedule & Where to Watch His IPL career began with Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) and included stints with Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. He was part of the Mumbai Indians squad that won the IPL trophy in 2015 under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.Chand’s last IPL appearance was in 2016 for Mumbai Indians. The former Delhi captain also represented Uttarakhand in domestic cricket.

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MLC 2025: Who is Agni Chopra, the MI New York player who chose cricket over Bollywood | Cricket News

MLC 2025: Who is Agni Chopra, the MI New York player who chose cricket over Bollywood | Cricket News

Agni Chopra of MI New York (Photo by Ron Gaunt / Sportzpics for MLC) Agni Chopra’s name is suddenly everywhere in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, but his story is as unique as his name. Many know him as the son of famous Bollywood filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra and popular film critic Anupama Chopra. But Agni never wanted the spotlight of movies as he chose cricket instead. This year, Agni’s big break came mid-air! On 19th February, he boarded an Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai. While he was flying without Wi-Fi, the MLC draft was happening. Seventeen long hours later, he landed, switched on his phone and saw a message from his mother — MI New York had picked him for $50,000! For a boy who grew up supporting Mumbai Indians, it was like a dream come true. But Agni’s journey has not been easy. He started playing cricket at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park when he was just six. While many thought being from a film family would help, it actually made things harder. Other players and some coaches thought he was just another rich kid who wouldn’t stick to cricket. Major League Cricket 2025 Explained: Teams, Schedule & Where to Watch To avoid standing out, Agni even asked his driver to park far away so no one would see him arrive by car. He wanted to be seen as just another boy with a bat, not a star kid with privileges. Slowly, runs spoke for him. In the 2019-20 Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy, Agni scored nearly 800 runs for Mumbai U-23s, including three centuries and a double ton. He credits his coach Khushpreet Singh Aulakh, who became more like a big brother, for turning him into a tough cricketer.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? But life tested him again. Despite his runs, Mumbai’s Ranji team never called. An injury and a tough breakup made things worse. He even thought of quitting cricket. But a call from Mizoram changed everything. There, Agni smashed four centuries in his first four First-Class games and finished the season with 939 runs. He did it again the next season too! However, due to a rule that only Indian passport holders can play Ranji Trophy, Agni, who has an American passport, decided to focus fully on MLC. He says days cricket is still closest to his heart, but playing in the US gives him new hope and a chance to play against top players at his peak.

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Piyush Chawla retires: Yuvraj Singh pens emotional tribute to former teammate; recalls teenage debut to Wankhede heroics | Cricket News

Piyush Chawla retires: Yuvraj Singh pens emotional tribute to former teammate; recalls teenage debut to Wankhede heroics | Cricket News

Yuvraj Singh and Piyush Chawla Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh praised leg-spinner Piyush Chawla’s 20-year cricket career following his retirement announcement, highlighting his ability to perform under pressure. Chawla, who represented India in three Tests, 25 ODIs, and seven T20Is taking 43 wickets, was part of India’s victorious 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup campaigns.Chawla concluded his professional cricket journey with impressive statistics, including 192 wickets in an equal number of IPL matches. His last IPL stint was with Mumbai Indians from 2022 to 2024.“Over the years, I’ve played alongside many teammates, but few have shown the resilience and dedication that #PiyushChawla brought to the park. From bursting onto the scene as a teenager to becoming a two-time World Cup winner, PC you’ve built a career on delivering when it mattered,” Yuvraj shared on his X account.“Over 450 first-class wickets, years of service for UP and Gujarat to being the 3rd-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. What stands out more than the stats is the way you carried yourself with calm, grit and commitment,” he added. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy “As you walk into the next chapter, know that you’ve earned every bit of respect! Proud to have shared the field with you laddoo! Go well,” Yuvraj concluded in his heartfelt message.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?During his career, Chawla achieved significant success in domestic cricket, winning the Ranji Trophy with Uttar Pradesh in 2005/06. He was also part of the Kolkata Knight Riders team that claimed the IPL title in 2014.His final competitive cricket appearance was memorable, representing Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in November 2024, where he recorded impressive figures of 4-12 against Himachal Pradesh at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

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RCB’s Man Friday: Krunal Pandya turns IPL final on its head | Cricket News

RCB’s Man Friday: Krunal Pandya turns IPL final on its head | Cricket News

Krunal Pandya (IPL Photo) TimesofIndia.com in Ahmedabad: With the bat, ball, or in the field, Krunal Pandya has always produced magic for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in this year’s IPL. Krunal was the engine on which the RCB team functioned throughout the season, and it was the 34-year-old who played a pivotal role in ending Bengaluru’s long 18-year wait.Krunal picked up the crucial wickets of Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis and gave away only 17 runs from his four-over quota. He was introduced after the powerplay and squeezed Punjab Kings’ run flow, bowling 12 dot balls — which proved to be gold dust for RCB in their quest for a first title.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The lone boundary Krunal conceded was the six Josh Inglis hit on the first ball of his third over, but he came back brilliantly in the next five balls, conceding just a single. He bowled flat, quick, and varied his pace to perfection, leaving the Punjab Kings’ batters at sea while facing him. ‘A particularly special feeling’: Andy Flower hails Virat Kohli, RCB after historic title win Who’s that IPL player?“When we batted in the first innings, I was sitting outside and chatting with batters. I realised the slower you bowl, the better,” he said at the post-match presentation.“But in this format, as a bowler, you need guts to do that because the margin of error is small. I just backed myself and thought that if I’m able to vary my pace and keep it more on the slower side, I’ll create chances rather than just coming and firing it in.“What has been my biggest strength is learning what the situation requires. I’ve always backed my gut and instinct. Today also, I realised if I have to take a couple of wickets, I have to be brave. If you bowled quick on that surface, it would’ve been a good batting wicket. But if you varied your pace, there was some help.”Virat Kohli showered praise on Krunal and called his spell game-changing in the final.“Krunal Pandya’s spell will be remembered for a long time. He made the difference in this final.” Poll Which quality do you think makes Krunal Pandya a ‘big-match player’? Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting pointed out that it was Krunal’s spell where his team lost momentum.“Krunal Pandya did an exceptional job with the overs that he bowled,” Ponting told reporters after the match.“The game was starting to slip away around the 11th, 12th, and 13th overs, and the hole got too big,” he said while referring to Krunal’s fantastic spell.Not only Ponting, Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer also credited Krunal for his exceptional bowling performance.“They bowled brilliantly, especially Krunal. He carries a lot of experience; he has done it over a period of time. I believe that was the turning point,” said Shreyas. ‘Daring, Dynamic, Different’: Ponting hails PBKS young guns despite final loss This was Krunal’s fourth IPL title, and he has played a significant role in winning two IPL finals.Interestingly, it was not the first time Krunal Pandya turned an IPL final on its head. In 2017, playing for Mumbai Indians against Rising Pune Supergiant, Krunal played an exceptional 38-ball 47 in a low-scoring final in Hyderabad. He now becomes the first player to win the Player of the Match award in two IPL finals.Krunal finished the season with 17 wickets and 109 runs. But those numbers don’t tell the full story of his contribution to RCB.Let’s jog down memory lane. On April 27 in New Delhi, the southpaw was struggling. He was going nowhere in his innings, Mitchell Starc was troubling him with searing pace, and Dushmantha Chameera then cracked him on the helmet with a short ball. Krunal had 25 off 28 and looked utterly stuck, with RCB needing 84 off 46.He hit 48 off his last 19 balls and steered his team to a comfortable six-wicket win with nine balls to spare.RCB head coach Andy Flower called him a big-match player this season.“Krunal is a big-match player and a great competitor,” he said at the press conference.Indeed, Krunal has been a warrior for RCB throughout this season and, in the truest sense, has been Bengaluru’s “Man Friday.”

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Watch: RJ Mahvash, Preity Zinta erupt in joy as Yuzvendra Chahal dismisses Suryakumar Yadav | Cricket News

Watch: RJ Mahvash, Preity Zinta erupt in joy as Yuzvendra Chahal dismisses Suryakumar Yadav | Cricket News

Yuzvendra Chahal celebrates the dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav,(AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) A huge roar erupted from the Punjab Kings’ dugout and stands as Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav during the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 clash at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Among those celebrating were RJ Mahvash and franchise co-owner Preity Zinta, visibly ecstatic as PBKS struck a major blow in a high-pressure contest. Suryakumar, Mumbai Indians’ batting mainstay this season, looked in sublime touch once again before falling for 44 off 26 balls. He had earlier hit Chahal for two sixes in the match before the leg-spinner had the last laugh. With this dismissal, the Surya vs Chahal battle in IPL now reads: 13 innings, 88 balls, 116 runs, four dismissals at an average of 29 and a strike rate of 131.81. Not dominant, but not a walkover either. Coming into the match, Surya had already amassed 673 runs in 15 innings at an average of 67.30, striking at 167.83. His wicket tilted momentum slightly in PBKS’s favour as they looked to restrict MI to a chaseable total.Punjab Kings had earlier won the toss and opted to bowl first under cloudy skies in Ahmedabad. The decision reaped early rewards as Rohit Sharma, fresh off a dazzling 80 in the Eliminator against Gujarat Titans, was dismissed for just 8 (7) by Marcus Stoinis. Arshdeep Singh: The Poet Who Bowls Thunder | Stories from His Father & Coach Rohit’s cheap dismissal meant he now shares an unwanted record with Suresh Raina for the most single-digit scores (9) in IPL knockout matches.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Jonny Bairstow contributed a brisk 38 off 24 balls, while Tilak Varma anchored the innings with a composed 44 off 29. Despite these efforts, it was Suryakumar’s wicket that brought the loudest cheer from PBKS fans. With the scoreboard reading steady but not imposing, Mumbai now look towards captain Hardik Pandya and youngster Naman Dhir to provide the fireworks at the death and push the total past the par mark. The stakes couldn’t be higher than a spot in the IPL 2025 final against RCB hangs in the balance.

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IPL 2025: Arshdeep Singh reveals his IPL ambitions with PBKS | Cricket News

IPL 2025: Arshdeep Singh reveals his IPL ambitions with PBKS | Cricket News

Arshdeep Singh (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav) Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh expressed his readiness for the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians on Sunday, where a victory would secure PBKS their second IPL final appearance. The winner of this knockout match will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final on June 3, with Punjab Kings pursuing their maiden IPL title against five-time champions Mumbai Indians.Arshdeep, who leads his team’s bowling attack with 18 wickets in 15 matches this season, shared his approach to handling pressure situations during crucial moments of the game.“When I get a chance, whether the team is under pressure and we have to stop runs or take wickets, when they give me the ball, I feel good that they are showing trust in me. So, I enjoy the responsibility that I get, no matter what stage it is. And at that time, I try not to feel the pressure and enjoy the moment and bring good results for the team. It doesn’t happen on a few occasions, but I try not to let it affect me, and when I get a chance in the next match, I do my best and win matches for the team,” he told JioHotstar. IPL 2025 Winner Prediction: What Greenstone Lobo’s Astrology says The left-arm pacer reminisced about his memorable debut against Mumbai Indians and highlighted his best performance against them at Wankhede Stadium.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?“When I made my debut for the first time. But the best match, what I feel, was against Mumbai Indians in Wankhede. MI were chasing some 220-odd runs, and I finished with four wickets, and we won the game. So, it’s very close to my heart,” he recalled.Arshdeep expressed his ambition to help Punjab Kings secure their first IPL title.“And in this season, I’m looking forward to helping Punjab win their first title in IPL and create a legacy for Punjab Kings in the coming years by doing well for them,” he added.

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Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 :​​​ Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : June 01,Sunday𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 : 19:30 PM IST​​​𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 :​ Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 : Indian Premier League 2025 Jasprit Bumrah has been electric this season, and the four overs he bowls is likely to turn out to be a major factor in the second Qualifier. Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. PBKS vs MI Match Prediction & Analysis Just two matches stand between us and the IPL 2025 final, and it’s down to three teams with a shot at the trophy. Punjab Kings take on Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 at Ahmedabad this Sunday night. The winner will go on to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final on June 3, also at Ahmedabad. Both Punjab and Mumbai have hit top gear at different stages of the tournament, so this one’s set up to be a thriller that’s tough to call. TEAMS PREVIEW Punjab Kings Preview Mumbai Indians are through to Qualifier 2 after knocking out Gujarat Titans with a 20-run win in the Eliminator. They set the tone early, putting up 228-5 on a great batting track in Chandigarh, and then held Gujarat to 208-6 despite a few shaky moments along the way. The five-time champs have completely flipped their season around in the back half and head into the knockouts with serious momentum. Their batting is starting to look ominous. Rohit Sharma, who’s had a mixed season, stepped up big in the Eliminator with a quality 81 off 50 balls. Jonny Bairstow, brought in as Will Jacks’ replacement, wasted no time making an impact—blasting 47 off just 22 balls. That explosive start from Bairstow gave MI a huge lift, and he looks set for another quick cameo. The middle-order has turned into a real strength. Suryakumar Yadav is in outrageous form—673 runs from 15 innings, averaging over 67.30, and striking at 167.83. With numbers like that, it’s hard not to back him for another 30-plus score. The pace duo of Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah gives MI a cutting edge. Boult was expensive in the Eliminator but is still a serious threat with the new ball and at the death. Bumrah, meanwhile, has been brilliant—18 wickets in 11 matches with an economy of just 6.36. His spell in the Eliminator broke Gujarat’s momentum when they were right in the chase. Beyond those two, though, the bowling doesn’t look as settled. Richard Gleeson didn’t quite deliver last match, apart from a couple of decent balls. Mumbai could look at swapping him out for Ashwani Kumar, who nailed his yorkers at the end against Gujarat. Deepak Chahar as an Impact Sub might also be a handy move—give him three overs and allow him to make some early inroads. Conditions in Ahmedabad might also bring Mitchell Santner into play, especially if there’s a bit of help for spin. Mumbai Indians Preview Punjab Kings were completely outplayed in Qualifier 1 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Sent in to bat, they crumbled for just 101, and RCB chased it down in only 10 overs. That kind of defeat would have rattled any team, but Punjab now has a second chance to fix things in the next knockout match. Despite the collapse last time, their batting has been their strong point all season. Prabhsimran Singh (517 runs in 15 innings) and Priyansh Arya (431 runs in 15 innings) have consistently laid a good base at the top. Punjab will be banking on one of them to click again. Shreyas Iyer has kept the middle order together with a cool head, piling up 516 runs in 15 games at a strike rate of 171. He’s stepped up when it matters and will again be central if they want to put up a solid score. Nehal Wadhera hasn’t had any huge knocks, but his cameos—striking at around 150—have helped in tight spots. Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis have chipped in as well. Stoinis has done his bit late in the innings, while Inglis has come in at number three or four and brought tempo. His 73 off 42 against Mumbai in the last league game was a standout—it shifted the momentum. Shashank Singh has added value too, holding his nerve and seeing them home in pressure moments. Their bowling hasn’t always been consistent, but there’s talent in there. Arshdeep Singh has been the standout, picking up 18 wickets in 15 matches and going at 8.62 per over. His ability to hit the right spots has helped. Weather Conditions The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch has delivered well for T20s — batters usually enjoy the conditions, but it also offers something for pacers and those who mix it up with slower balls. As the match progresses, the surface can lose some pace, making scoring a bit harder in the second half. Nonetheless, it remains a decent track for putting runs on the board. Ahmedabad is expected to be hot and dry, with no rain expected. PBKS vs MI Pitch Report The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad tends to produce decent batting surfaces, with an average first innings total of 177. However, the last two games here have seen totals of 230 or more by the side batting first and winning comfortably. With this being a knockout clash, teams will want to put up something big on the board to have a buffer in case the bowling doesn’t go to plan. Both sides will likely aim for something in the 210-215 range to feel like they’re in control. Toss: To Bat Six of the seven matches played at Ahmedabad in IPL 2025 have been won by the team batting first. So, the message is clear – win the toss and bat first at this venue.

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How history now favours RCB: Qualifier 1 winners have dominated IPL finals | Cricket News

How history now favours RCB: Qualifier 1 winners have dominated IPL finals | Cricket News

RCB players during their Qualifier 1 match against PBKS. (IPL Photo) NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have taken a decisive step towards ending their long wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) title, securing a place in the 2025 final after a dominant eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur on Thursday. With the win, RCB not only advanced to their fourth IPL final — after previous runner-up finishes in 2009, 2011, and 2016 — but also positioned themselves on the statistically favourable path to championship glory.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In the IPL’s current playoff format, introduced in 2011, teams finishing in the top two after the league stage get two chances to reach the final. And there’s a strong historical trend that favours the winner of Qualifier 1 – 11 of the 14 IPL titles since 2011 have been won by the team that advanced directly to the final through this route.Who’s that IPL player?Even more telling, all seven champions from 2018 to 2024 — including CSK (2018, 2021, 2023), MI (2019, 2020), GT (2022) and KKR (2024) — were winners of Qualifier 1. Poll Will RCB win their first IPL title in 2025? It’s a trend that puts RCB in an enviable position as they prepare for the final in Ahmedabad on June 3.Riding on Virat Kohli’s class and Rajat Patidar’s captaincy, RCB have carried momentum and clarity into the playoffs. This extended break before the final gives them time to recover, strategise and sharpen their edge for the title bout. Josh Hazlewood – we picked up momentum from Jitesh’s knock in Lucknow Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans take on Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on Friday, with the winner facing PBKS in Qualifier 2. Whoever emerges from that battle will meet a well-rested RCB, who now not only hold form but also history firmly in their favour. Is 2025 finally RCB’s year? All signs are promising.

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Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 :​​​ Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : May 30,Friday​​𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 : 19:30 PM IST​​​𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 :​ Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh, India 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 : ​Indian Premier League, 2025 Gujarat Titans kicked off the season in style but have stumbled towards the end, suffering heavy defeats in two games back-to-back. Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. GT vs MI Match Prediction & Analysis The IPL 2025 playoffs are here, and Gujarat Titans are all set to face Mumbai Indians in Mullanpur this Friday in the Eliminator. It’s do-or-die territory—whoever loses is out of the tournament. The winner, on the other hand, moves on to Qualifier 2 to take on the loser of Qualifier 1. Both sides have had ups and downs this season, but they’ve also shown they can beat anyone when things click. Expect a fierce contest in this Eliminator that could easily go down to the wire. TEAMS PREVIEW Gujarat Titans Preview After a strong run through most of the season, where Gujarat Titans kept a tight grip on the top two spots, their momentum took a hit in the closing stretch. They suffered two lopsided losses — an 83-run hammering at the hands of Chennai Super Kings and a 33-run defeat to Lucknow Super Giants. Those setbacks dropped them to third in the standings, meaning they now have to go through the Eliminator. One more bad game, and their campaign ends there. Outside of those two off days, Gujarat have been one of the more dependable sides in IPL 2025. They’ve generally struck the right balance in most departments. Their top order — Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler — has done most of the heavy lifting, each going past the 500-run mark this season. But with Buttler unavailable for the playoffs due to international duty, Gujarat have lost a major piece of their lineup. Kusal Mendis from Sri Lanka is expected to step in. He may not be as explosive as Buttler, but he’s someone who can steady the middle overs if needed. Lower down, Sherfane Rutherford has quietly delivered value, scoring 267 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 157. Shahrukh Khan, too, has shown that he can dig the team out if the top order fails. The bowling attack has been mostly steady this season, though the last two games have exposed a few issues. Even so, the team will be counting on Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who have combined for 38 wickets, to get early inroads. Sai Kishore has chipped in with 17 wickets, even if his economy is on the higher side at 9 per over. Rashid Khan hasn’t had the kind of season GT would’ve hoped for, and that inconsistency could become a problem again. Washington Sundar might be brought in to replace Arshad Khan, who has struggled badly with the ball and been far too expensive. Mumbai Indians Preview Mumbai Indians were within touching distance of a top-two finish after stringing together seven wins in eight games. But a 7-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings in their final league match kept them to fourth. Still, that’s quite the turnaround for MI, considering they dropped three of their first four games. The five-time champions are back in the playoffs and, as always, know how to handle the pressure when it counts. As they head into the knockouts, though, they’ll have to do without Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks. Both are heading back for international duties, and that’s a big blow to their top order. The duo played a big role in giving MI strong starts. In their place, Jonny Bairstow and Charith Asalanka have been brought in. Bairstow knows the league well and if he can click with Rohit Sharma early on, MI could be in business. Jacks missing out also means a likely shift for Tilak Varma, who’s expected to move up to number three—his natural slot. He’s spent most of the season down at five, where he hasn’t really looked settled. A move back up could help him find his rhythm. One area where Mumbai have come alive is the middle-order. Suryakumar Yadav’s been a rampaging force—640 runs from 14 matches at an average north of 70 and a strike rate around 170. His last two innings—57 off 29 and an unbeaten 73 from 43—suggest he’ll be a real threat to Gujarat in the Eliminator. Lower down, Hardik Pandya and Naman Dhir have chipped in at crucial moments.  Weather Conditions Mullanpur, like many pitches across India, offers a good setup for T20s. Batters who take a few deliveries to settle in can cash in later. There’s something in it for the bowlers too—seamers might get early movement with the new ball, and spinners should find some grip through the middle overs. The weather in Chandigarh is expected to be hot and dry. But with no rain on the radar, a full match is on the cards. GT vs MI Pitch Report Teams batting first at Mullanpur in the IPL tend to average around 170. Earlier this season, Punjab Kings put up the highest total at the ground—219 for 6—against Chennai Super Kings, a game they won by 18 runs. The pitch has played well for batters, and that trend should continue. Both sides will likely be aiming for something in the 210 range to feel they’ve given themselves a solid cushion. Toss: To Bat At Mullanpur in IPL 2025, three out of the four games have gone in favor of the side that batted first. Plus, given this is a knockout, choosing to bat first feels like the more reliable option.

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