Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has picked Mumbai Indians as favorites against Gujarat Titans for Tuesday’s clash of the ongoing IPL 2025. When these two teams had met earlier in the season, GT had registered a comprehensive 36-run win.
However, Kaif reckons the Bumrah factor will be crucial and the gun fast bowler would give MI an advantage. Furthermore, Hardik Pandya’s team have the momentum under their belt as they have won their last six games.
Bumrah has been sensational since his comeback after injury as he has bagged 11 wickets in seven matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 17.72 and an economy rate of 6.96.
Kaif highlighted that GT top three batters – Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler – have done the bulk of the scoring but backed Bumrah to deliver against the opposition’s in-form batters.
“It’s not easy to beat them (MI) at home. Now they are in very good form. When they lost earlier in the league phase, Bumrah wasn’t there. Bumrah has returned, and they have won six of their last seven matches with Bumrah. They have become a good bowling team,” Kaif said on Star Sports.
“There are three batters in the opposition – Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill. This team is dependent on three batters. It will be a battle between Bumrah and the top three, and Bumrah generally wins against good batters. That’s why I consider Mumbai slightly ahead in this match,” the former India batter added.
On the other hand, speaking on the same platform, former Indian wicket-keeper bat Deep Dasgupta concurred with Kaif and picked MI as favorites against GT.
“Considering the form Mumbai are in at the moment and the team they have, it’s difficult to look beyond MI, although GT have been playing very good cricket. However, they have a slight dependence on the top three. GT haven’t needed their middle order thus far, but this will be a good test,” he said.
The former Bengal cricketer said GT would have their work cut out to beat MI at the Wankhede.
“From GT’s point of view, you want such a test. The MI batters and bowlers are in form. On paper, they are one of the best teams in this tournament. So I feel it will be a very good test for GT, but it’s going to be difficult to beat Mumbai at their home, considering the form they are in,” Dasgupta concluded.
