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

In order to stay alive in the race to qualify for the IPL playoffs, five-time champions Mumbai Indians(MI) just cannot afford any more slip-ups. Next up, the Rohit Sharma-led side will be taking on defending champions Gujarat Titans(GT), who are currently at the top of the IPL points table, and thus, it is not going to be easy for Mumbai Indians. Currently, the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Nehal Wadhera and Ishan Kishan are in great form, and that will boost MI’s confidence ahead of the next match.

When it comes to the visiting side, they are one of the most consistent teams in the tournament. The Hardik Pandya-led side has managed to win eight of their 11 matches in the ongoing IPL 2023. Players like Wriddhiman Saha, Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill are playing really well as Gill has already amassed 469 runs in 11 matches and with that, the cricketer is third in the IPL Orange Cap race. Notably, GT have also used the Punjab-born cricketer as an impact sub, but if GT bats first, one of the bowlers can come as an impact sub.

So, who can be the impact players of both teams in the match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans? Let’s dissect - 

Look at the Impact players for today's IPL match between MI and GT

MI Impact players:

1. Ramandeep Singh

The 26-year-old middle-order batter Ramandeep Singh is one of the most consistent performers in the Indian domestic circuit. MI spent INR 20 lakh to sign the cricketer in 2022, but unfortunately, the team management has not given him enough opportunities to prove himself in the middle. However, if he manages to get a shot, Ramandeep can prove to be a dangerous cricketer to deal with. 

2. Tristan Stubbs

In case Mumbai play four foreigners, Tristan Stubbs will not be able to play an active part in the match but can come in as one of the fielders. He is a gun fielder, to say the least, and can also keep wickets in case Ishan Kishan suffers an injury.

3. Vishnu Vinod

29-year-old Vishnu Vinod is one of the proven performers in the Indian domestic circuit. He has played 50 matches in T20 cricket and has managed to score 1191 runs at a strike rate of 138.81. The cricketer can chip in with some quick runs, and just like Ramandeep, he is an exciting option to have in the team.

4. Sandeep Warrier

Ace pacer Sandeep Warrier was signed as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the tournament earlier on. Notably, even though their pacers are leaking a lot of runs at the moment, Sandeep has not been slotted in, which remains to be strange.

5. Raghav Goyal

22-year-old Raghav Goyal is one of the most exciting prospects at the moment. The left-arm wrist spinner’s inclusion brings a lot of variety to Mumbai’s bowling attack, and thus, the five-time champions invested INR 20 lakhs for him in the IPL auction.

GT Impact players:

1. Alzarri Joseph

The West Indies international Alzarri Joseph has picked up seven wickets in six matches in the ongoing IPL 2023. With Joshua Little not available at the moment, Joseph is very likely to be introduced as the impact sub if GT bats first. Meanwhile, if GT bowls first, the 26-year-old will be part of the playing XI, and Shubman Gill will be part of the impact player list.

2. Dasun Shanaka

Sri Lanka white-ball skipper Dasun Shanaka replaced Kane Williamson in the GT squad after the latter was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. However, Shanaka has never got an opportunity and will be looking for one in the match against MI.

3. KS Bharat

Stumper-batter KS Bharat will only come out to the field if Wriddhiman Saha picks up an injury in the middle. He is technically sound behind the stumps, but his batting is one such area that the team needs to improve in. 

4. Shivam Mavi

Ahead of the 16th edition of the IPL, pacer Shivam Mavi stated that he developed a new delivery that he will try in the upcoming season. However, the cricketer never got an opportunity to show his ability, and that remains to be a surprise, especially when the Hardik Pandya-led spent INR 6 crore for him in the auction.

5. Jayant Yadav

Spinner Jayant Yadav is very unlikely to be introduced in the match as GT already have two quality spinners in the form of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad in the mix. Thus, in Wankhede, the defending champions are very unlikely to play another spinner.