IPL 2017: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Lions, 5 winning factors

#3 Strategy

Rohit has looked out of sorts against the spinners, especially of the leg-spinning variety.

Rohit Sharma has looked out-of-sorts in the middle order, particularly against spin, falling to Imran Tahir, Sunil Narine, Rashid Khan and Samuel Badree in his four innings so far. Notwithstanding the decent starts from the Buttler-Parthiv opening duo, it might not hurt Mumbai if they go for a role-reversal, with Rohit at the top and Buttler slotted into the middle order.

Keeping Rohit’s woes against leg-spin in mind, the Lions on their part, can throw in someone like leg-spinner Tejas Baroka into the mix to complement left arm spin of Jadeja and Jakati.

In the absence of Malinga against RCB, Harbhajan bowled with the new ball for the Mumbai Indians and was efficient in tying down Chris Gayle in the Powerplay. With Gujarat having similar explosive batsmen at the top, Harbhajan could just be the right man to be bowling again in the Powerplay, taking pace off the ball and making it difficult for GL openers Smith and McCullum to score freely.