Last Update: May 25, 2023, 4:02 PM IST
(From left) Shubman Gill, Akash Madhwal and Rashid Khan (Picture Credit: Sportzpix)
Before IPL 2023 Qualifier 2 promises to be exciting, let’s take a look at the players who can make a difference
Who will join Chennai Super Kings in the final of IPL 2023? We will get our answer by Friday night when Gujarat Titans take on Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
GT had lost to CSK in the first qualifier and will now face a confident MI, who thrashed Lucknow Super Giants by 81 runs in the Eliminator.
Ahead of the match, let’s take a look at the players who can make a difference.
Obviously, the find of the season for Mumbai Indians. The uncapped Madhwal has overdelivered to put MI in the playing eleven after injuries to some of their first-choice players. He joined them ahead of IPL 2022 and showed massive progress as MI handed him the debut, almost becoming the go-to bowler for Rohit Sharma. His performance against Lucknow Supergiants turned out to be one of the finest spells of the season as he tore through his batting order for astonishing figures of 5/5. In fact, in his last two IPL matches, the 29-year-old has picked up nine wickets. Mi hopes to continue to deliver the goods.
Shubman Gill
By the time Gill was batting during the first qualifier for Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings must have felt at ease. The way he scored back-to-back hundreds proved how dangerous a rising star can be when in full flow. And his current form makes him GT’s biggest weapon with the bat. No wonder he was their top scorer in GT’s losing match. However, against MI, Gill will have to be at his best and he has been scoring runs in Ahmedabad.
rashid khan
Rashid, the second-highest wicket-taker in the season so far, continues to be a major threat with both the ball and the bat. He picked up the crucial wicket of the dangerous Ambati Rayudu, who was in ominous condition during the first qualifier. The legspinner has 25 wickets to his name from 15 matches and the Afghan has delivered whenever GT needed to break partnerships.
Suryakumar Yadav
After MI lost two early wickets against LSG, it was Suryakumar whose partnership with Cameron Green provided the momentum and a swift comeback for the five-time champions. He hit two fours and as many sixes in his 20-ball 33 at Chepauk and the in-form batsman can be expected to score big if his services are required. He has scored 544 runs in 15 matches this season at a strike rate of 183.78. His ability to manipulate fielders and play unorthodox shots with ease makes him a bowler’s worst nightmare.
cameron green
The big-hitting Australian continues to prove that MI were right in making him the second costliest player in IPL auction history. Green scored a century against SRH to help MI secure a crucial win that kept their playoff hopes alive. And when he did qualify, he played another crucial knock of 41 off just 23 balls, making a rapid recovery that laid the groundwork for a challenging total against LSG. He was also very economical with the ball as only 15 runs came from his three overs. The all-rounder might not have made a big impact with the ball, but his contribution with the bat has certainly proved to be decisive.
Mohammed Shami
Purple Cap Holder. Shami has taken wickets consistently for GT throughout the season. Against CSK, he took two wickets including that of well-set Devon Conway and Ravindra Jadeja in four overs. It was in Ahmedabad that Shami produced a flamboyant spell in the powerplay that left Delhi Capitals reeling at the start of this season. Shami and his GT skipper would like to repeat the same as they target a second straight final. The 32-year-old has so far taken 26 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 7.66.
