Gujarat Titans, currently in sixth place with eight points, will clash with the eight-placed Delhi Capitals who have six points. Both teams are desperate for wins to climb the points table.
Match Details
- Fixture: Gujarat Titans vs Delhi Capitals
- Venue: New Delhi
- Time: 1400 GMT
Key Players to Watch
- Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav
- Gujarat Titans: Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad
Analysis
Inconsistent performances have plagued both teams. While the Capitals boast four of the best powerplay bowling performances this season, they also conceded a massive 125 and 88 runs in the first six overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively. Their net run rate woes continued after they failed to defend a mammoth total against SRH. However, youngsters like Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel impressed with their batting.
The Capitals bowling attack, featuring Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, will fancy their chances against a slow Gujarat Titans top order and a middle order lacking role clarity. However, both teams’ spinners will be challenged by the short square boundaries at the Kotla.
Form Guide
- Capitals: LWWLL (last five matches)
- Titans: WLWLL
Previous Meeting
The Titans were bundled out for a mere 89 runs in their last encounter against the Capitals, who chased down the target comfortably in 8.5 overs. Fast bowlers Mukesh Kumar, Ishant Kumar, and Khaleel Ahmed starred for DC in Ahmedabad.
Team News and Impact Players
Delhi Capitals
Mitchell Marsh is ruled out for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury. Ishant Kumar’s participation is also doubtful because of back spasms. Prithvi Shaw might replace one of the pace bowlers – Khaleel Ahmed or Mukesh Kumar – depending on whether the Capitals bat or bowl first. If they need an extra batter as an impact player, Jharkhand’s Kumar Kushagra could be drafted in.
Probable X1
David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Rishabh Pant (wk & c), Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, Axar Patel, Sumit Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Kumar Kushagra (Impact Player)
Gujarat Titans
The Titans are likely to swap Sai Sudharsan with Mohit Sharma as their Impact Player depending on the situation. Mohit Sharma boasts the fifth-best economy rate in the death overs (bowlers with at least 10 overs bowled since IPL 2023).
Probable XI:
Shubman Gill (c), Wriddhiman Saha, B Sai Sudharsan, Azmatullah Omarzai, David Miller, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Umesh Yadav, Noor Ahmad, Mohit Sharma (Impact Player)
In the Spotlight
- David Warner: Warner’s form has dipped recently, scoring only 37 runs in his last four innings while battling a finger injury. Fraser-McGurk’s impressive powerplay hitting might put pressure on Warner’s opening spot.
- Shubman Gill: Gill’s performance has mirrored his team’s batting woes. He has managed just one fifty in eight games this season. A big knock from Gill could be the turning point for the Titans’ playoff aspirations.
Key Stats
- Anrich Nortje has dismissed Shubman Gill thrice in six innings at an average of 11.30.
- Delhi Capitals have the second-highest powerplay economy (10.37) this season.
- Umesh Yadav has a good record against Warner, dismissing him five times in 11 innings.
- Rishabh Pant has been dismissed three times to legspin this season.
Pitch and Conditions
Rain might disrupt the match. The relaid Kotla pitch is expected to be a run-fest, similar to the last match where SRH posted a massive 266 runs.