GT vs MI, IPL 2023 Qualifier 2: Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad Pitch Report and Weather Forecast

Reigning champions Gujarat Titans and record champions Mumbai Indians clash in the second qualifier of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday (May 26) with the match set to start at 7:30 PM IST.

Hardik Pandya's defending champions GT head into the match on the back of their fifth defeat of this season, while MI led by Rohit Sharma are fresh from their ninth win of the campaign. GT has won 10 in 15, whereas MI has won 9 in 15.

GT will be keen to bounce back from the 15-run defeat to Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1, which took place on Tuesday (May 23) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where MI sealed an 81-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday (May 24).

Now, the two sides will clash in for the third time this season and for the second time at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which will host it's eighth match of the season. GT have won five and lost three so far at home.

GT opened their season with a 6-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings at their home venue, but suffered a couple of 3-wicket defeats to Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals before a 55-run win over Mumbai Indians.

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The reigning champions, however, suffered another 5-run loss to Delhi Capitals in a low-scoring thriller at home before bouncing back-to-back win over Lucknow Super Giants by 56 runs followed by a 34-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their most recent home fixture.

Ahead of GT vs MI 2023 Qualifier 2 meeting at the Narendra Modi Stadium, we take a look at the pitch report and weather forecast for the day as some parts of the country have received summer showers.

Ahmedabad weather forecast on Friday, May 26 (Updated)

A intermittent cloudy day with max temperature of 40^o C is and there was rain before the start of play. Plus, there is also forecast for more rain during the playing hours. So, weather for now has delayed the toss, but is unlikey to completely wash out the qualifier 2 between GT and MI.

As it stands, the toss is expected to take place at 7:45 PM IST with match set to start at 8 PM IST. If there is further rain and there is no possibility of each team playing five overs each, then the match will be awarded to GT as they finished above MI in the points table.

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Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report

The Narendra Modi Stadium has been batting friendly so far, but has provided a little assistance for new ball bowlers. The average score batting first in IPL at the venue is 168 and batting second is 155. In 2023, however, the average score batting first is 187.

Among the six matches hosted at the venue in 2023 season, the teams chasing came out on top three times, while the team defending has also won three matches. The venue has seen high-scoring contest as well as low-scoring thrillers.

GT chased down a target of 179 set by CSK with 4 balls to spare, while KKR pulled off a 205 run chase against GT followed by RR completing a 178 run chase. However, GT defended 207 against MI, who could only reach 152.

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In the fifth match, GT struggled to chase down a paltry 131 against DC, but in the following game the hosts scored the highest total at the venue by setting a target of 228 for LSG and later restricted the visitors to 171. In the seventh match, GT defended 188 against SRH.

As per the venue history, the chasing teams have had the most success as teams batting second have won on most occasions. So, the captain winning the toss will not hesitate to bowl first, but with the last four matches ending in favour of the team batting first, the skipper may think twice.