Mumbai Indians (MI) made a significant tactical change in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign by reinstating Rohit Sharma as a full-time player in their lineup for the match against Gujarat Titans (GT). This decision reversed their controversial move from the previous game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where Rohit was used as an Impact Substitute. His full return to the playing XI delighted MI fans, who were eager to see their star batter take on Gujarat in what was a crucial game for both sides.
Mumbai Indians Respond to Rohit Sharma’s Impact Sub Controversy
Facing Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, MI was determined to recover from their opening defeat. A major talking point ahead of the game was the return of Hardik Pandya as captain after he missed the first match due to a one-game suspension. However, it was Rohit Sharma’s presence in the starting XI that created the biggest buzz.
One of the surprising exclusions for MI was young spinner Vignesh Puthur, who had impressed on debut against CSK with a three-wicket haul. Instead, MI opted for Mujeeb Ur Rahman, banking on his experience and ability to restrict runs on Ahmedabad’s batting-friendly surface.
Gujarat Titans Stick to Their Lineup, Bench Glenn Phillips Again
On the other side, Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, decided to retain their playing XI from their opening defeat against Punjab Kings. This meant that Glenn Phillips remained on the bench for the second consecutive game.
With the team already featuring four overseas players—Jos Buttler, Sherfane Rutherford, Rashid Khan, and Kagiso Rabada—there was no place for Phillips, even as an Impact Substitute. His continued absence raised questions about GT’s team strategy, especially given his explosive hitting ability in the middle order.
GT vs MI IPL 2025: Official Playing XIs
Gujarat Titans Playing XI:
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Sai Sudharsan
- Jos Buttler (W)
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Shahrukh Khan
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan
- Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore
- Kagiso Rabada
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
Mumbai Indians Playing XI:
- Rohit Sharma
- Ryan Rickelton (W)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya (C)
- Naman Dhir
- Mitchell Santner
- Deepak Chahar
- Trent Boult
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Satyanarayana Raju
A Crucial Match for Both Teams
Both MI and GT were eager to secure their first win of the season, making this encounter a high-stakes battle. While MI’s adjustment of Rohit Sharma’s role was seen as a correction of a past mistake, Gujarat’s decision to bench Glenn Phillips once again left many fans questioning their approach.
With a star-studded lineup on both sides, the match was expected to be a thrilling contest under the floodlights of Ahmedabad. Will MI’s tactical adjustments pay off, or will GT’s consistency in team selection give them an edge? Only time will tell. 🚀🔥