Gujarat Titans (GT) have now beaten Mumbai Indians (MI) in all four matches played at their home ground in the Indian Premier League (IPL). This is impressive because MI is one of the most successful teams in T20 cricket. But what makes it even better is that GT always has a smart strategy to defeat their western rivals.
Using Smart Strategies to Win
GT first defeated MI twice in IPL 2023. That season, they won four out of seven home games while batting first, even though there was dew in the evening. They used the early swing movement for fast bowlers, especially Mohammed Shami, to make an impact. Both wins came on red-soil pitches, where they scored over 200 runs and took advantage of the new ball while defending. MI did not have Jasprit Bumrah or any other fast bowler to make use of these conditions.
GT won the IPL in their debut season (2022) and came very close to winning again in 2023. In 2024, MI took GT’s captain Hardik Pandya and built a team full of big hitters. Bumrah was also back in action. This time, GT used a different strategy. They played on a pitch with a lower scoring rate and successfully defended 168 runs with the help of spinners Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, and Mohit Sharma.
Choosing the Right Pitch for the Opponent
In their most recent home game against MI, GT chose a black-soil pitch. Captain Shubman Gill said this was not specifically to counter MI, but assistant coach Parthiv Patel confirmed that they wanted to play MI on this kind of pitch. The black-soil surface reduced the impact of fast bowlers like Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar and took MI out of their comfort zone since they are used to red-soil pitches at Wankhede Stadium.
GT’s team is built for low-scoring matches rather than high-scoring ones, like the 240-run game they lost against Punjab Kings (PBKS). They have the best anchor batter in T20 cricket, Jos Buttler, and B Sai Sudharsan, who takes advantage of the powerplay and can stabilize the middle overs. Their batting core is strong and can adjust to slightly difficult conditions.
GT also has tall fast bowlers who can use variable bounce and pace effectively. The pitch was similar to the one used in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, which favored bowlers who could extract bounce and slow down the game.
How Home Advantage Helps Teams Win
GT’s win against MI showed how important it is to understand home conditions and work closely with ground authorities. T20 matches are short, and small moments like losing a ball due to a six can change the game. The best way to ensure consistent success is to use home advantage to the fullest.
Other IPL teams have also used this strategy. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are one of the most successful IPL teams because they win twice as many matches as they lose at home. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a dominant phase when they used their spinners on low-scoring pitches at Eden Gardens. Rajasthan Royals (RR) turned their home stadium, Sawai Mansingh, into a fortress in the first IPL season, winning all seven matches there. GT now holds the second-best home win-loss ratio in IPL history.
Challenges Faced by Other Teams
Some teams struggle with home advantage. MI and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) play on small grounds with excessive dew, making it difficult to control conditions. Despite this, MI has still won five titles, which makes their success even more remarkable. On the other hand, teams that do not have a stable home base often struggle in the IPL.
In IPL 2025, CSK and KKR have expressed concerns about not getting the right kind of pitches at their home grounds. Their teams are built for low-scoring matches where spinners can play a big role, but they have been given pitches that do not favor them. RR is also facing issues with its stadium in Jaipur, as it is under government control and not maintained properly throughout the year. As a result, they are forced to play some home games at other venues, losing their home advantage.
The Importance of Strong Team Management
In cricket, home advantage is a legitimate strategy. Winning away from home is always special, but IPL is a different case. IPL teams do not own their stadiums; they only use them for two months a year. Unlike state teams in domestic cricket, IPL franchises cannot demand a pitch suited to their team. The groundsmen prefer to maintain the usual conditions rather than change them for a few matches.
This is why having strong management and good relations with state associations and ground staff is crucial. CSK usually has a good relationship with their local cricket board, making their current pitch issues surprising. Eden Gardens and Chepauk will be key grounds to watch in the coming matches. Also, keep an eye on how GT continues to use different pitches for different teams. It is likely that CSK will not get a black-soil pitch when they face GT next.
