GT vs MI: Whether You Score At Strike Rate Of 120 Or 150, Just Score Runs - Virender Sehwag's Advice To Shubman Gill

Former Indian player Virender Sehwag suggested Gujarat Titans should allow Shubman Gill to play his natural game as the opening batter has dried up the runs in the last few outings. Gill has scored 269 runs in 10 innings, striking at 137.59, so far in the tournament.

The Gujarat Titans opener registered a duck in the first match against Lucknow Super Giants but thereafter hit two blistering fifties – 84 against Delhi Capitals followed by 96 vs Punjab Kings. In his last five innings, Gill amassed 69 runs at an average of 13.8 with the highest score of 31 against RCB.

Virender Sehwag’s advice to Shubman Gill ahead of Mumbai Indians clash

As Gujarat Titans gear up to face five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians, Sehwag advised Gill to play at least till first 10 overs while not rushing himself. The former Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) captain showed confidence in Gujarat Titans’ lower middle-order ability to accelerate the innings.

“They (Gujarat Titans) should simply tell him – ‘play the game that suits you, we need runs from you. Whether you score at a strike rate of 120 or 150, just score runs’. If Gill bats for the first seven to eight overs, then their big-hitters like David Miller and Rahul Tewatia come into the game,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz. 

“If they walk in early, as they did in the last game, they struggle because they are unsure of whether to attack or defend. Even if Gujarat are 80 after 10 overs, their batters have the ability to score 120 in the remaining 10 overs,” he added. 

GT vs MI: GT must not experiment with batting first: Virender Sehwag

The Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai has hosted 12 IPL games this season so far and seven times teams have won after chasing the target. Sehwag warned Gujrat Titans to avoid batting first if they win the toss.

“GT must not experiment with batting first. This (Brabourne) is a small ground and there are greater chances of a total being chased down. They must make well-thought-out decisions from here and aim to finish in the top two. They should not take any game lightly,” he said. 

Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians will lock horns for the first time in IPL history on Friday (May 6) at the Brabourne Stadium.

Also Read: GT vs MI: Gujarat Titans’ Predicted Playing XI Against Mumbai Indians, IPL 2022, Match 51 GT vs MI