1. Overview
The Table Toppers Gujarat Titans will be facing bottom ranked Delhi Capitals. Interestingly, the result of this match would not change the position of any side as they are set to stay at the respective positions, unless the Capitals beat by a huge margin (around 40 Runs). Facing 6 losses already, Delhi Capitals would be desperate to add one more win in the Points table so that their Playoff Qualifications chances persists, even if very minimum.
2. Team Previews
Head-to-Head Record: 2 Matches, GT: 2 Wins and DC: 0 Wins
Gujarat Titans: The Defending Champions have hardly anything going against them this season too. They might have lost 2 matches but it’s worth mentioning that both went to last over, meaning they haven’t lost a single match convincingly. With Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya and David Miller being their batting core, their batting looks more stable with contributions now coming from Vijay Shankar as well. Also, Mohit Sharma has come out as a surprise package for them in their bowling department that already comprised Rashid Khan and Mohammed Shami. The weakest link is Wriddhiman Saha, who is yet to make a notable contribution.
Delhi Capitals: Despite being at the bottom of the points table, Delhi Capitals must have lots of positives than they had before the last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Until the last match, their entire batting lineup was heavily dependent on Captain David Warner and Vice-Captain Axar Patel, but contributions from Phil Salt and Mitchell Marsh with the bat has made their batting look reliable. If all shares the responsibility well, they have all the resources to beat the table-toppers. Their Indian batters like Prithvi Shaw, Manish Pandey, Sarfaraz Khan have been a big letdown for the team.
3. Probable Teams
Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Josh Little, Noor Ahmad (Impact Player - Mohit Sharma)
Delhi Capitals: David Warner (C), Phil Salt (WK), Mitchell Marsh, Manish Pandey, Axar Patel, Sarfaraz Khan, Priyam Garg, Ripan Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar (Impact Player - Ishant Sharma)
4. Interesting Facts
- This will be the 400th T20 Match for Rashid Khan. He will become just 12th Player to reach the milestone after Pollard, Bravo, Shoaib, Gayle, Narine, Russell, Bopara, Miller, Rohit, Christian and Shakib.
- David Warner, who is currently the 7th Highest Run Scorer this season, has the lowest Strike Rate (118.60) among the Top 10 Run Scorers this season so far
- Having Featured in all the matches for Gujarat Titans, Rahul Tewatia is yet to be dismissed this season.
- His last innings with the bat against KKR, was Hardik Pandya's 200th T20 Innings.
- Hardik Pandya (247) needs 3 more wickets to complete 250 T20 Wickets
- Both Rashid Khan (1945) and Vijay Shankar (1932) are just few runs short to 2000 T20 Runs. While Rashid needs 55 Runs, Vijay Shankar is 68 Runs away from the feat.
- This will be 50th Innings for Vijay Shankar in IPL.
5. Weather and Pitch Report
The temperature is expected to be around 25-30 degree celsius. Narendra Modi Stadium is suitable for batting with an average score at the venue this season being 185. Fast Bowlers might be help with the new ball though. Toss winning side can safely choose to field first as chasing sides have won all the matches, barring Mumbai Indians in their last match.
6. Match Details
Time: 7:30 PM
Date: 2nd May 2023
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Jio Cinema
7. Dream XI