IPL 2023: Predicting Impact Players for today's IPL Match between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians

The Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans (GT) will have one last shot at making it to the finals following the loss against Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1. The defending champions have a tricky assignment in the form of five-time winners Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, May 26.

Speaking about their head-to-head records, the two sides have played each other on three occasions. While Rohit Sharma and Co. have emerged victorious in two matches, the defending champions have won once. Notably, players from both franchises have produced some sensational performances both with the bat and with the ball.

While Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill have displayed scintillating batting performances for their respective teams, Rashid Khan and Cameron Green have been just as lethal as all-rounders. However, it will be interesting to note how will the think tanks come up with their best XI and who could they likely back as the Impact Players.  

On that note, we take a look at the five Impact subs from each side ahead of the crucial Qualifier 2 match.

Let's take a look at the Impact players for today's Qualifier 2 match between GT and MI

GT Impact Players:

1. Dasun Shanaka

The explosive Sri Lankan batter can single-handedly win matches for his franchise, both with the bat and with the ball. However, he has failed to display his lethal hitting exploits in the previous games and could likely be listed as an Impact Player in Qualifier 2. He will need to shift gears and contribute with aggressive innings if he makes the cut as a substitute against the five-time winners. 

2. Yash Dayal

The left-arm pacer has leaked quite a lot of runs in the ongoing edition but has displayed some signs of improvement since running into Rinku Singh in match no. 13. Yash could be a valuable addition to the bowling set-up in the forthcoming match but will need to be sharp with his line and length, considering that he would be up against some of the best T20 hitters.

3. Shivam Mavi

Despite training hard to get an opportunity in the ongoing edition, Mavi has failed to feature in any of the matches for Gujarat. Though he has the ability to get the breakthroughs and restrict the rival side from getting the big runs, the think tank could back others who are marginally above him in the pecking order.

4. Srikar Bharat

KS Bharat is quite sharp behind the wickets but may not get his chance unless regular keeper Wriddhiman Saha sustains an injury during the game. Moreover, assuming he is to come in as the substitute, Bharat can raise important partnerships and play invaluable knocks for the side at crucial points.  

5. Jayant Yadav

The 33-year-old offie can be lethal with the ball and can help control the rival side from going overboard with the run rate. However, with Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan finding a place in the XI, it seems unlikely that Jayant Yadav will get his chance in the forthcoming match.

MI Impact Players:

1. Nehal Wadhera

The 22-year-old batter carved out magnificent knocks against CSK and RCB wherein he returned scores of 64 and an unbeaten 52 runs, respectively. Though he has been unable to maintain his consistency since then, he has the potential to carve out big knocks and raise vital partnerships. He could be an exciting option and can help tilt the momentum, coming in as the Impact Player.

2. Ramandeep Singh

Ramandeep Singh has failed to get any opportunity in the ongoing edition of the top-tier league for the franchise. However, the batter can be a lethal prospect coming down the middle order and getting the big runs for his side. Considering that it is a crucial match, Mumbai may not experiment much with their Impact options, however, given a chance Ramandeep can chip in and help get quick runs.

3. Vishnu Vinod

The keeper-batter got mere two chances to don the MI outfit in the 16^th edition in which he returned scores of 30 and two runs, respectively. Having played 52 matches in T20s with 1223 runs, Vishnu has flourished as a proven batter in the domestic circuit and can be an interesting alternative to have in the line-up.

4. Arshad Khan

In his six IPL appearances, Arshad has managed to get just five wickets and leaked runs at an economy of 13.41. In his last outing against CSK on May 6, Arshad was targeted for 28 runs in just 1.4 overs at a dismal economy of 16.80. Though he has not quite returned remarkable performances, he would surely be gunning for an improved outing, assuming he gets an opportunity in the forthcoming match.

5. Raghav Goyal

The left-arm wrist spinner made his only T20 appearance during the match against CSK on May 6 when he was introduced as the Impact sub. In his four overs, he did moderately well as he gave 33 runs at an economy of 8.25. While he could be an exciting addition to the setup, it remains to be seen if the five-time winners count on him as the substitute against the Titans.