Two seasons ago, the man Mumbai Indians had discovered and help develop into one of the world's best allrounders left them to lead a new IPL franchise in his home state. And Hardik Pandya enjoyed tremendous success as a first-time captain, leading Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022 and the final in 2023. And in both seasons, they had finished top of the points table at the end of the league stage.

Now, he returns to Ahmedabad as captain of Mumbai, after being the target of perhaps the most significant pre-auction player trade in IPL history. Because Hardik didn't just go back to the franchise that forged him; he went back and replaced a five-time title winner as their leader. And the dynamics between him and Rohit Sharma on the field will come under intense scrutiny on Sunday night.

After Hardik's departure, the Titans had to nominate a new captain too, and the obvious candidate was Shubman Gill, the highest run-scorer of last season. But Gill, like the captain he succeeded, has very little leadership experience: he's led his state side Punjab in only two T20s. Will another fledgling captain take flight in the Titans set-up?

While Titans have been in the finals in the previous two seasons, Mumbai have not qualified for one since 2020, when they won their fifth title. It is the longest period they have had to endure without a trophy since 2013.