MI vs GT Highlights, IPL 2026: Ashwani Kumar takes four-for as spirited Mumbai Indians beat GT by 99 runs

Naman Dhir comes at number three after MI lose Danish in second over. Meanwhile, Siraj continues his spell and Naman hits two back to back against him in the third over, one through square leg and another through fine leg after an inside edge.

MI 21/1 (3)

Kagiso Rabada bowls a good-length delivery to Danish Malewar, strikes him on the pads and the appeal is upheld, Malewar is out lbw for 2 off 4 on his MI debut.

Kagiso Rabada draws first blood for GT.

MI 11/1 (2)

Mohammed Siraj bowls a disciplined first over and Kagiso Rabada comes into the attack for the second over.

On the second ball of the over, Kagiso Rabada bowls a full delivery on the pads to Quinton de Kock, who waits for it and whips it over cow corner for six.

Mohammed Siraj bowls a back-of-a-length delivery outside off to Danish Malewar, the ball moves away as Malewar tries to block it.

Just two runs come off the first over.

MI 2/0 (1)

Quinton de Kock, debutant Danish Malewar open as Mumbai Indians bat first.

Mohammed Siraj begins attack with the new ball for GT, one slip in place.

Mumbai Indians Impact Subs: Raj Bawa, Ashwani Kumar, Corbin Bosch, Mayank Rawat, Raghu Sharma

Gujarat Titans Impact subs: Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder, Manav Suthar, Kulwant Khejroliya, Anuj Rawat

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Ashok Sharma

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Danish Malewar, Quinton de Kock(w), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Tilak Varma, Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Krish Bhagat, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar

Danish (Malewar) makes his Mumbai Indians debut. And Krish (Bhagat) as well makes his debut for Mumbai Indians

Shubman Gill: It looks like a decent wicket, honestly. There was a bit of dew in the last match. So just in case there is today, I think it would make more sense. Always good to have a target on the board and then try to chase it down. I think the way we have been bowling up front has been a huge positive for us, even in the last match and the game before that. So hopefully we continue with our bowling rhythm up front and then in the middle overs, Rashid Khan has been really good for us. So hopefully we all continue in the same manner. Always good to have some runs on the belt and in a tournament like IPL, a long tournament, if you start well, you can really, really have a good season. And that’s what I will strive for. Always a good challenge to play against them. I think they are a solid team and hopefully it’s going to be a good match. We’re going with the same team.


Hardik Pandya: We would have fielded as well. It’s obviously the last game for us as a group. We had to regroup and speak about what Mumbai Indians stands for and what kind of game we want to play. And we had a good amount of chats. People are looking forward to the game. (You have bounced back from such situations before?) Yeah, most often than not. So this time we want to make sure that we start the winning form and make sure that we play some good cricket and tick boxes whenever we are supposed to tick. And yeah, just backing each other, sticking by each other. There will be tough times, but yeah, just stand with each other and go out and play some good cricket. (Areas of improvement) I think we need to play overall better cricket, I can’t pinpoint one factor. As I’ve said earlier, we win together, we lose together. So as a group, we need to get better. It's a fresh day. Sun has risen again and just a positive way. A couple of debuts for us. Danish (Malewar) makes his Mumbai Indians debut. And Krish (Bhagat) as well, who was part of the support bowlers, really impressed us. He got into the team three days back and such is life that he’s playing today.

No Rohit Sharma in XI as Mumbai Indians asked to bat first vs Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill wins toss, opts to field first vs Mumbai Indians

Gujarat Titans have a strong record against Mumbai Indians at their home ground, the Narendra Modi Stadium. They have won all four matches played there against Mumbai. This gives them an added advantage going into this game. Playing at home, with a familiar pitch and conditions, has helped Gujarat perform well. Mumbai, on the other hand, will have to deal with both their own form issues and the challenge of playing away against a team that has done well at this venue. While past records do not decide matches, they do provide context to the contest. Gujarat will look to maintain this record, while Mumbai will aim to break it and get their campaign back on track.

Mumbai Indians are in a situation where they need wins quickly to stay in contention for playoffs. With one win from five matches, they are at the bottom of the table. While there have been examples in the past of teams recovering from poor starts, the current situation demands immediate improvement. The team has not been able to find the right combination or consistency in performances.

The margins of defeat have also been significant, which adds to the pressure. The dressing room will be aware of the situation, even if they do not say it openly. The upcoming matches become important not just for points but also for confidence. A win here could help them regain some momentum, while another loss could make the situation more difficult as the tournament progresses.

As MI take on GT, here are five key player battles that could shape the contest:

Shubman Gill vs Jasprit Bumrah

This is arguably the headline clash. Gill has been in superb touch this season, while Bumrah, though economical, is still searching for his first wicket. Historically, Bumrah has kept Gill in check — the GT skipper has scored just 34 runs off 38 balls at a strike rate of 89.5 and has been dismissed twice, managing only four boundaries and no sixes.

Rohit Sharma vs Kagiso Rabada

If Rohit is fit, this promises to be a fascinating battle. Rohit’s elegance meets Rabada’s pace and discipline. In T20s, Rohit has scored 38 off 27 balls against Rabada at a strike rate of 140.7 but has been dismissed twice, with 14 dot balls highlighting Rabada’s control.

Rashid Khan vs Hardik Pandya

Few bowlers can contain Hardik when he gets going, but Rashid has often managed to do just that. Pandya has scored only 28 runs off 38 balls against Rashid at a strike rate of 73.7 and has been dismissed twice, with 22 dot balls underlining Rashid’s dominance.

Ashok Sharma vs Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav has the ability to turn games on their head, but his poor form has hurt MI this season. He has scored just 106 runs in five matches at an average of 21.20, including a duck in the last game. GT may deploy their pace weapon Ashok Sharma, who consistently bowls above 150 km/h and has taken six wickets in five matches.

Shardul Thakur vs Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips can be devastating when set, but he has struggled for consistency this season, scoring just 61 runs in five matches. Thakur could be used to keep him quiet. The head-to-head is limited - Phillips has faced just two balls from Thakur without scoring - but it remains an intriguing matchup.

MI’s campaign has hit a rough patch after four consecutive defeats, and Rohit’s fitness has become central to their hopes of revival. The former captain had suffered a hamstring injury during the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and subsequently missed the clash against Punjab Kings.

Providing the latest update, MI bowling coach Paras Mhambrey struck an optimistic tone but stopped short of confirming Rohit’s availability for the match.

“Both [Rohit Sharma and Mitchell Santner] are fit. In fact, if you are just walking by the nets out here, if you just look at Rohit's batting. So yeah, he is working on it. Santner is fit. So, unfortunately, we missed him (Santner) in the last game, picked up a bug. Not something that we could do. But both are fit, yeah,” Mhambrey said during the pre-match press conference on Sunday.

The update suggests that Rohit has recovered well enough to resume batting and is actively preparing, while Mitchell Santner has also shaken off illness that ruled him out previously. However, the franchise is yet to make a final call on Rohit’s participation, with the decision likely to be taken closer to match time.

Rohit’s return to the nets in Ahmedabad has certainly lifted spirits in the MI camp. The veteran opener looked comfortable during his session, indicating progress in recovery. Yet, with hamstring injuries often tricky, the management is unwilling to rush him back prematurely.

One of the key issues for Mumbai Indians this season has been their performance in the powerplay. With the bat, they have not been able to score quickly, often putting pressure on the middle order.

With the ball, they have not taken enough wickets to put opposition teams under pressure. This double setback in the first six overs has made it difficult for Mumbai to control matches. They have frequently been forced to play catch-up, either in setting a total or chasing one.

The inability to seize early momentum has been a consistent pattern in their defeats. Improving their powerplay performance will be crucial if the five-time chmpions want to change their fortunes. A better start with the bat or early wickets with the ball could help them build confidence and shift the flow of the game in their favour.

Gujarat Titans’ bowling unit has shown potential but has not been consistent across matches. Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada have picked up wickets but have also been expensive at times.

Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan have had mixed performances, with some good spells and some less effective ones. Despite this, the bowling unit delivered a strong performance in the previous match against Kolkata Knight Riders, which will give them confidence going into this game.

The ability to take wickets at key moments has helped Gujarat control matches better than Mumbai this season. However, they will need to maintain discipline, especially against a team that is looking to recover from a poor run. If their bowlers can find consistency, Gujarat will have an advantage.

Gujarat Titans’ batting has largely depended on their top order this season, like it did last year too. Captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler have been responsible for most of the scoring.

While this approach has worked in recent matches, it also highlights a lack of contribution from the middle order. Players like Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia have not made a strong impact so far. Despite this, Gujarat have managed to win games, largely because their top-order batters have delivered when required.

This reliance on top three means that early wickets could put pressure on their middle order. However, their recent wins suggest that the team has been able to manage these situations effectively. The consistency of their top three has been one of the reasons behind their improved results after a slow start to the season.

Mumbai Indians are also dealing with uncertainty over Rohit Sharma’s availability. The opener suffered a hamstring injury during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and missed the previous game against Punjab Kings. There is still no confirmation on whether he will play this match. Rohit’s absence affects not just the batting order but also the overall balance of the side.

He had formed a useful opening combination earlier, and his experience at the top is important for the team. Without him, Mumbai have had to adjust their combinations, which has added to their problems.

The management will have to take a decision based on his fitness, keeping in mind the risk of aggravating the injury. If he does not play, Mumbai will again have to play two overseas batters at the top.

Mumbai Indians’ bowling has also not performed as expected this season. Jasprit Bumrah has been economical and disciplined but has not picked up a wicket so far.

Opposition batters have been content to see him off without taking risks. The lack of wickets from their main bowler has added pressure on the rest of the attack. Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar have not been able to provide regular breakthroughs, and Hardik Pandya has also not contributed significantly with the ball.

The spin department has been inconsistent, with bowlers struggling to maintain control over length. On batting-friendly pitches, this has allowed opposition teams to score runs easily. Mumbai have often conceded runs early and failed to pull things back in the middle overs.

The absence of wickets at key moments has meant that they have been on the back foot in most matches. This overall lack of impact from the bowling unit has been one of the main reasons behind their run of defeats.

Mumbai Indians’ struggles this season have largely come from their batting unit not delivering consistently. The team has failed to make an impact in the powerplay, often scoring at a slow rate and losing early wickets.

The middle order, which includes Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, has not been able to provide stability. Suryakumar has shown glimpses, including a half-century, but has not been consistent. Tilak Varma has managed only 43 runs in five innings, while Pandya has scored 81 runs from four matches.

These numbers highlight the issues Mumbai are facing with their batting. As a result, the team has often been left chasing games rather than controlling them. The lack of a solid platform at the top and no sustained partnerships in the middle have made it difficult for Mumbai to post or chase high totals. These problems have been a major factor behind their position in the points table.

Mumbai Indians come into this game under pressure after losing four matches in a row following their opening win. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, have turned their season around after two early defeats and now have three consecutive wins.

The difference in momentum and form between the two sides is clear going into this match. Mumbai are placed ninth on the table, while Gujarat have climbed to sixth.

For Mumbai, the challenge is not just about winning one game but stopping a pattern of defeats where margins have been higher. Their campaign has been affected by poor starts, inconsistent middle-order performances, and a bowling attack that has not delivered breakthroughs regularly.

Gujarat, despite their own issues, have found ways to win matches, which has helped them move up the table. The contrast in form adds another layer to this contest, with one team trying to recover its season and the other looking to build on its momentum.

Five time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will face 2022 title Gujarat Titans (GT) in match number 30 of the IPL 2026 on Monday, to be played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Titans have bounced back strongly from their two defeats in the beginning of the season, to register three consecutive victories. GT's bowling unit, which was their strength last year also, has rediscovered its rhythm and is now delivering across all phases of the innings. Fast-bowler Prasidh Krishna is once again among the leading wicket-takers of the tournament, while Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan has been outstanding in the middle overs. While Siraj and Rabada are also looking in good touch.

In contrast, the Mumbai Indians find themselves struggling for momentum. After ending their long-standing streak of losing their first matches of the tournament, they have slipped into poor form with four successive defeats, leaving them at the bottom of the points table. Jasprit Bumrah, though economical, is yet to claim a wicket in this season, and the bowling unit as a whole has failed to take wickets at regular intervals and also stop the flow of runs.

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