IPL 2017, GL vs MI: 5 winning factors

#3 Strategy

Dinesh Karthik has played the role of the finisher in the Gujarat Lions line-up

For starters, the GL must make Aaron Finch open with McCullum as the kind of form he showed the last match, the more deliveries he faces for his side, especially inside the fielding restrictions, the better it’ll be for them. These two followed by Raina and Karthik is GL’s best top 4.

MI, on the other hand, don’t need to tinker too much with a batting line-up that has been fairly successful so far. The opening pair is well settled, Rana has been brilliant at No. 3, and the only worry so far for them in the season is Rohit Sharma’s form. Pollard and Hardik Pandya’s big hitting has been a blessing for MI, and hence, their batting looks like a well-oiled machine that just needs to keep running the way it is.

In the bowling department, the hosts must try and include Irfan Pathan in the XI. If he can find some early swing since it is a night game, and dislodge the openers cheaply, it might just be the opening the GLs need. Keeping two overs each from Tye and Faulkner for the last 4, whether they are bowling first or second, might also be important considering how inexperienced the other two pacers are.

MI might opt to go with the same bowling attack as the last match unless they feel the need to give Malinga a run before the playoffs, to try and see if he can find his match-winning rhythm back.