It's the double header on Sunday and defending champions Gujarat Titans will be taking on Kolkata Knight Riders to kickstart your Sunday. Both the teams are coming off a brilliant win in their last matches respectively.
Gujarat Titans:
Whenever you see this team, you think there's a batter short and they won't be able to chase a target down, but time and again they have punched above their weight and did the unthinkable. This year when Kane Williamson got injured in the first game, we thought they won't be able to manage to win games, but they have won 2 games comprehensively. GT is a side to beat this year as well with Rashid Khan coming into his own supported by Shami and Joseph, they have a lethal bowling line up. When it comes to batting, they have a new poster boy of Indian Cricket Shubhman Gill who is in sublime form, unarguably the best time of his career. Gujarat will be looking to make it 3 in a row on Sunday.
Kolkata Knight Riders:
KKR have blown hot and cold this season in the 2 games that they have played. They lost to Punjab in a rain truncated game and then humbled RCB with spin at d Eden Gardens. Shardul Thakur snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat and then Varun, Narine and Suyash spun the Challengers from Bangalore out of the contest. On Sunday, they would again look to continue their momentum and halt Gujarat's juggernaut.
Players to watch out for:
Hardik Pandya:
He is yet to fire in this IPL and big players don't take much time to get in their groove. He is one knock away to get back the form that he was in last year. His bowling has not been that effective too this season. Sunday might just be the day we get to see who the real Hardik Pandya is!!!
Rahmanullah Gurbaz:
If he gets going, there's no one who can stop him. The impetus that he provides at the start of the innings in unbelievable. KKR would look to consolidate on the start that he provides at the start of the innings. He is quick with gloves too. Keeping to Narine isn't easy at all. He has managed to do that with ease.
Interesting stats:
- Saha needs 34 runs to reach 2500 runs in IPL
- Hardik Pandya needs 24 runs to reach 2000 runs in IPL
- Shubman Gill needs 23 runs to reach 2000 runs in IPL
- Hardik Pandya needs 3 fours to reach 150 fours in IPL
- Shubman Gill needs 3 fours to reach 200 fours in IPL
- David Miller needs 14 runs to reach 2500 runs in IPL
- Rashid Khan needs 4 wickets to reach 250 wickets in T20 format
- Nitish Rana needs 7 fours to reach 200 fours in IPL
- Tim Southee needs 3 wickets to reach 50 wickets in IPL
- Umesh Yadav needs 2 wickets to reach 150 wickets in T20 format
- Varun Chakravarthy needs 1 wicket to reach 50 wickets in T20 format
- Varun Chakravarthy needs 3 wickets to reach 50 wickets in IPL
(Credits: Cricbuzz)
Pitch and Weather Report:
Narendra Modi Stadium has offered a batting-friendly surface and has remained the same throughout the 40 overs quote of the match. However, teams have preferred to hunt down the total. In the last three IPL games played at the venue, the chasing side has stood victorious on all occasions. Hence, the team to win the toss in the forthcoming game should look to bowl. (Credits: https://www.crictracker.com/)
There is no chance of rain during the fixture between Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders. The temperature can go up to 40 degrees Celsius. Humidity will be around 28 percent (Credits: https://www.news18.com/)
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Date: April 9th, 2023 at 3:30 PM IST
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Jio Cinema
Dream 11 Team:
