M Shahrukh Khan remains GT’s regular Impact Player when chasing, though the Titans have deployed him for just 12 balls across three innings with two DNBs. GT’s tactical rotation has seen Prasidh Krishna brought in as Impact Sub when bowling first.
Mumbai Indians used AM Ghazanfar against PBKS, replacing Suryakumar Yadav for lower-order batting depth. The five-time champions face pressure to find match-winning substitutes to end their four-match losing streak at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 20, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST.
Let’s take a look at the Impact Player options and tactical analysis for both sides.
GT Impact Player Substitutes
GT have named five quality Impact Player options with Shahrukh Khan as their preferred choice when chasing totals at Ahmedabad.
| Player | Role | Previous Usage |
|---|---|---|
| M Shahrukh Khan | Batter | Used vs KKR (chasing) |
| Jason Holder | All-Rounder | Available |
| Manav Suthar | Bowler | Available |
| Kulwant Khejroliya | Bowler | Available |
| Anuj Rawat | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Available |
M Shahrukh Khan remains GT’s go-to Impact Player during chases at Narendra Modi Stadium. The finisher was deployed against KKR in the last match but has faced just 12 balls across three innings this season with two DNBs, showing GT’s top-order dominance has limited his opportunities.
Jason Holder was acquired for INR 7 crore ahead of IPL 2026 to provide all-round depth. The West Indian veteran offers lower-order hitting and death-over bowling experience, making him a strong option if GT bat first.
Manav Suthar adds left-arm orthodox spin variety to GT’s attack. The young spinner could be deployed against MI’s right-handed top order featuring Rohit, Suryakumar, and Tilak Varma.
Kulwant Khejroliya provides left-arm pace variety. The Delhi-based seamer offers a different angle and could strengthen GT’s already impressive pace unit averaging 24.89, the best in IPL 2026.
Anuj Rawat brings wicketkeeper-batter depth and can open if GT want tactical flexibility. The left-hander provides an additional Indian option in the batting lineup when required.
MI Impact Player Substitutes
MI have rotated their Impact Player options based on match conditions, with AM Ghazanfar emerging as the recent deployment against PBKS.
| Player | Role | Previous Usage |
|---|---|---|
| AM Ghazanfar | Bowler | Used vs PBKS (replaced SKY) |
| Mayank Rawat | All-Rounder | Featured on debut vs PBKS |
| Shardul Thakur | All-Rounder | Available |
| Corbin Bosch | All-Rounder | Available |
| Ashwani Kumar | Bowler | Available |
AM Ghazanfar was MI’s Impact Player against PBKS, replacing Suryakumar Yadav. The young Afghan mystery spinner offers off-spin variations and could trouble GT’s middle order, particularly Washington Sundar and Glenn Phillips on Ahmedabad’s surface.
Mayank Rawat made his IPL debut against PBKS as the direct Indian substitute for Trent Boult. The Delhi off-spinning all-rounder carries a batting strike rate of 123 from 11 domestic matches, though his impact against PBKS was minimal.
Shardul Thakur provides genuine all-round utility with medium pace and lower-order hitting. The experienced campaigner can extract breakthroughs and handle pressure situations against GT’s top-heavy batting unit.
Corbin Bosch offers South African pace variety alongside lower-order power-hitting. The seamer could be introduced if MI want extra wicket-taking firepower given Bumrah’s 114-ball wicket drought in IPL 2026.
Ashwani Kumar brings left-arm pace options to MI’s attack. The young pacer has been groomed as a long-term prospect and could provide fresh legs against GT’s opening pair of Gill and Sai Sudharsan.
Batting First Factor
Bowling reinforcements typically replace batters when defending totals at Ahmedabad. GT would likely deploy Manav Suthar or Jason Holder for middle-overs control, while MI could introduce AM Ghazanfar for additional spin variety against Rashid Khan’s lineup.
Moreover, Pitch No. 5 at Ahmedabad has historically favoured the team batting first with four outright wins across the last seven matches at this specific strip, making defending a total entirely viable.
Related Reads
- GT vs MI IPL 2026 Match 30 Playing XI: Prediction & Lineups
- IPL 2026: MI vs GT Today Match 30 Prediction – Who Will Win?
- IPL 2026: MI vs GT Match 30 – Top Players To Watch Out For
Bowling First Factor
Chasing teams prefer batting substitutes given the dew factor and high-scoring trends. GT will almost certainly introduce Shahrukh Khan for middle-order firepower as the designated chase-day option, while MI might opt for Shardul Thakur to add late-innings acceleration.
Additionally, the batting-friendly conditions at Narendra Modi Stadium mean chasing sides can attack freely with the dew advantage after the 14th over.
