IPL 2017: MI v GL, Game 16 – Match Result Predictions

Mumbai Indians (MI) is going through a terrific run in Vivo IPL 10 and is all set to lock horns with Gujarat Lions in the 16th match of the tournament tomorrow at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The two-time champions got their campaign back on track after losing the opening encounter against the Rising Pune Supergiant. It was an exceptional all-round display as they came back in style winning their last 3 encounters.

Mumbai boasts of an exceptional batting order and it was evident from the other day as they chased down the target of 143 set by Royal Challengers Bangalore after being reduced to 7/4 at one stage. Kieron Pollard showed why he is one of the very best in the T20 format as the big man from West Indies smashed a 47 ball 70. It was the Pandya brothers again who ensured Mumbai Indians reached the target safely in the end.

On the other hand, Gujarat Lions will be over the moon after registering their first win of the tournament against the Rising Pune Supergiant yesterday. The return of Ravindra Jadeja will surely bolster Gujarat’s chances as the tournament progresses as the left-arm spinner has been in sensation form in the longest format of the game. He bagged 27 wickets in the 4 match series against Australia and leapfrogged Ashwin to rise to the top of ICC Test Rankings for bowlers.

Andrew Tye who made his IPL debut yesterday bagged a sensational hat-trick and finished with unreal figures of 5/17 in his allotted 4 overs. He executed his knuckle balls to perfection which bamboozled the opposition batsman on a consistent basis. His slower balls have been world class and it will be a challenge for the Mumbai batsmen to counter him.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: MI will win the toss

Toss Prediction: MI choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 175-180

2nd innings Prediction: MI will win by 6 wickets with 3 balls to spare

Scenario 2: GL will win the toss

Toss Prediction: GL choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 200-210

2nd innings Prediction: MI win by 55 runs

Despite Gujarat Lions winning both their previous encounters against Mumbai Indians, the home team looks a more settled unit and is undoubtedly the clear favourites for tomorrow’s clash. The home team will look to set their record against Gujarat Lions straight while the visitors will look to keep up their good work against the Mumbai Indians.

Playing Combinations

Mumbai Indians

The home team will definitely come all guns blazing and is expected to retain their XI from the previous game. The only replacement might be that of LasithMalinga in place of Tim Southee. If fit Malinga walks into the XI any day so Southee is expected to sit out. The rest of the team remains more or less the same.

Their batting line up was put in a spot of bother the other day as Samuel Badree bagged a sensational hat-trick to reduce them to 7/4. Despite the horrendous start the big man from West Indies Kieron Pollard took the responsibility on his shoulders and played a blinder of an innings to ensure Mumbai chased the target down. Apart from Malinga’s comeback the rest of the team remains the same.

Predicted XI: Parthiv Patel, Jos Buttler, Rohit Sharma, NitishRana, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McLeneghan, JaspritBumrah, LasithMalinga

Gujarat Lions

After losing the opening two matches of the tournament, Gujarat Lions made a strong comeback against the Rising Pune Supergiants in the previous encounter. They were bolstered by the return of No.1 Test bowler Ravindra Jadeja and also included Aussie pacer Andrew Tye in the line-up. It was a dream debut for the medium pacer who bagged a hat-trick and finished with exceptional figures of 5/17 in 4 overs.

The opening combination of Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum looked pretty dangerous up the order and they will stick to the opening combination at least for the next couple of matches. The middle order also looks settled with Aaron Finch and captain Suresh Raina going great guns but still, they have to pull their socks especially if they have to return triumphant against the Mumbai Indians

Predicted XI: Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina ©, Dinesh Karthik, Aaron Finch, IshanKishan, RavindraJadeja, ShadabhJakati, Andrew Tye, Basil Thampi, Praveen Kumar

Despite a superior record against the Mumbai Indians, it will be a pretty difficult task for the visitors to upstage them especially in front of a packed Wankhede Stadium.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.