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A plethora of legends will be in action when the Manipal Tigers lock horns with Gujarat Giants in the second match of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2023 on Monday, November 20 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
Harbhajan Singh and Parthiv Patel will reprise their roles as the captains of Manipal Tigers and Gujarat Giants, respectively. Last season, Gujarat finished third on the table, while Manipal finished last in the four-team tournament. It is important to note that two new teams have been welcomed this season and the competition has gotten more intense than before.
Gujarat have the explosive Chris Gayle in their team. He is one of the most revered foreign cricketers in India. Meanwhile, Kevin O’Brien and Richard Levi will add more firepower to the batting lineup. Former India bowlers S Sreesanth and Abhimanyu Mithun are also in the side alongside experienced overseas pacers like Liam Plunkett and Rayad Emrit. There is also enough variety in the spin-bowling department with the likes of Sulieman Benn, Dane Piedt, and Seekuge Prasanna.
The Manipal Tigers also have a very good team that could go the distance. There are seven players who have represented India in international cricket. It would be interesting to see how popular Indian players like Robin Uthappa, Mohammad Kaif, and Pravin Kumar fare in the tournament. Overseas players like Hamilton Masakadza, Corey Anderson, Thisara Perera, and Colin de Grandhomme have the ability to play destructive knocks. Mitchell McClenaghan will be the bowler to keep an eye on for Harbhajan Singh’s men. There are Indian pacers like Pankaj Singh and Parvinder Awana who can assist him.
MNT vs GG Match Details
Particulars
Details
Match
Manipal Tigers vs Gujarat Giants,
Venue
JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
Date & Time
Monday, November 20, 6:30 PM
Live Broadcast and Streaming Details
Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar app and website, and FanCode
JSCA International Stadium Complex Pitch Report:
The JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi is a batter’s paradise. In the first game of the tournament, defending champions India Capitals put on 228/8 in their 20 overs, only to see Bhilwara Kings chase it down with three wickets and four balls to spare. It will be difficult for captains to gauge what could be a good score and they would be inclined to bowl first.
MNT vs GG Head-to-Head
Matches Played
02
Manipal Tigers won
00
Gujarat Giants won
01
N/R
01
Probable Playing XI:
Manipal Tigers: Robin Uthappa, Chadwick Walton (WK), Hamilton Masakadza, Subramanian Badrinath, Mohammad Kaif, Corey Anderson, Thisara Perera, Colin de Grandhomme, Harbhajan Singh (C), Mitchell McClenaghan, Praveen Kumar
Gujarat Giants: Parthiv Patel (C/WK), Chris Gayle, Richard Levi, Nathan Reardon, Kevin O’Brien, Elton Chigumbura, Abhimanyu Mithun, Liam Plunkett, Rayad Emrit, S Sreesanth, Sulieman Benn
Probable Top Performers from MNT vs GG
Probable Best Batter: Chris Gayle
The 44-year-old might not have the same hand-eye coordination as in his prime days but he can still put the bowlers to the sword every now and then. Gayle would enjoy batting on what is expected to be a true surface at the JSCA International Stadium Complex. If he gets going, fans will be in for a treat and it will inevitably put Gujarat in a strong position.
Probable Best Bowler: Harbhajan Singh
The veteran off-spinner might opt to take the new ball as Gujarat are expected to open with two left-handers, Gayle and Parthiv. Harbhajan is a clever operator and his duel with Gayle will surely bring back memories of their rivalry in international cricket and in the Indian Premier League. Last season, the Punjab bowler finished with six wickets in as many games at 22.83