GT vs MI, IPL 2025: Decoding the key player battles
What's the story
Gujarat Titans will take on Mumbai Indians in Match 9 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 29.
Both teams will be looking to register their first win of the season after a disappointing start.
Notably, regular MI skipper Hardik Pandya, who missed the team's opener due to suspension, will be back to lead the side.
Here are the key player battles that might be on display.
#1
Deepak Chahar vs Shubman Gill
Deepak Chahar and Shubman Gill are bound to tackle each other as both players open the proceedings in their respective departments.
As per ESPNcricinfo, the MI pacer has dominated the past battles between the two as he has dismissed Gill four times across 10 IPL meetings, conceding 78 runs off 55 balls.
No other bowler has dismissed the GT captain more often in the tournament.
#2
Jos Buttler vs Trent Boult
As Jos Buttler has enjoyed operating against left-arm pacers in T20 cricket, his battle with Trent Boult would be enticing.
The NZ star has not dismissed Buttler even once across eight T20 clashes, conceding 79 runs off 50 balls.
However, Boult boasts the second most powerplay wickets in IPL (62).
Notably, the two talismans shared the Rajasthan Royals dressing room in the preceding three IPL seasons.
#3
Suryakumar Yadav vs Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan is among the finest bowlers to have graced the IPL.
However, MI dasher Suryakumar Yadav is among the few batters who have been highly successful against the GT leg-spinner, smashing him for 86 runs off 58 balls in the IPL.
As per ESPNcricinfo, his strike rate against the leggie is a healthy 148.27.
The Afghanistan star has not dismissed SKY even once across 10 IPL meetings.
#4
Rohit Sharma vs Kagiso Rabada
The powerplay overs of MI innings could see a face-off between Rohit Sharma and Kagiso Rabada.
The latter has enjoyed the past T20 meetings between the two, dismissing him four times across 15 innings.
Rohit has scored 90 runs in this battle at a paltry strike rate of 118.42.
Two of Rohit's dismissals versus Rabada have come in seven IPL meetings.