As the Indian Premier League season 2024 nears its halfway stage, several teams have completed six games marking the start of a pivotal phase in the ongoing competition. In the 32nd fixture, last season’s finalists, the Gujarat Titans, will confront the struggling Delhi Capitals at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
Gujarat Titans, being a new franchise, have a limited history of encounters with Delhi Capitals, adding intrigue, especially for neutral fans. Anticipated as a compelling matchup, it promises excitement as Gujarat Titans aim for league prominence while Delhi Capitals seek to reverse their downturn.
Delhi Capitals are eager to sustain their winning streak after securing their second victory in six games, with Jake Fraser-McGurk’s standout performance pivotal. Conversely, Gujarat Titans enter the fixture buoyed by a commendable victory, fueled by Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia’s impressive contributions during their chase.
What has happened so far?
In the ongoing IPL campaign, both the Gujarat Titans and the Delhi Capitals have completed six games each. While the Gujarat Titans have secured three victories, the Delhi Capitals have managed two wins within the same timeframe.
The Gujarat Titans initiated their campaign with a victory over the Mumbai Indians but faced a setback against the Chennai Super Kings in their second encounter. Despite returning to winning ways in the third match, they encountered consecutive defeats against the Punjab Kings and the Lucknow Super Giants.
However, they rebounded with a crucial win against the Rajasthan Royals in their latest fixture, displaying remarkable resilience led by Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia.
On the other hand, the Delhi Capitals had a challenging start to their campaign, suffering losses to the Punjab Kings and the Rajasthan Royals in close encounters. However, they secured their first win by defeating the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, by 20 runs.
Despite this victory, their winning momentum was short-lived as they suffered a significant defeat by 106 runs against the Kolkata Knight Riders and another loss to the Mumbai Indians.
However, they bounced back with their second win of the campaign in a commanding fashion against the Lucknow Super Giants, with Jake Fraser McGurk’s explosive innings leading the charge at the Ekana Stadium.
Head to Head Record
In the nascent rivalry stemming from the introduction of the Gujarat Titans into the Indian Premier League, these teams have crossed paths on only three occasions thus far. Impressively, the Gujarat Titans have emerged victorious twice, maintaining a slight edge over their opponents who have secured one win.
Notably, the Capitals’ lone triumph over the Titans occurred in their most recent encounter where they valiantly defended a modest total of 130 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Key Players
Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans): Shubman Gill maintains his stature as the leading run-scorer for his team in the ongoing campaign. Following an outstanding performance in the 2023 IPL season, the newly appointed skipper amassed a total of 235 runs from six games, achieving an unbeaten high score of 89.
Displaying remarkable consistency, Gill has maintained an impressive average of 51, coupled with a formidable strike rate of 151.79. Amidst the challenges faced by the batting unit in finding their rhythm, Shubman Gill emerges as the lynchpin for his team’s aspirations, entrusted with the pivotal role of anchoring the side towards success.
Kuldeep Yadav is the X-Factor in the DC bowling line-up
Kuldeep Yadav (Delhi Capitals): With six wickets at an average of 13.50 and an economy rate of 6.75, Kuldeep Yadav‘s resurgence has silenced critics, excelling across formats and providing breakthroughs consistently.
Following a strong 2023 ICC World Cup campaign, the chinaman bowler continues to shine, dictating the game’s tempo in IPL. Dismissing Nicholas Pooran for a golden duck drew praise, while his best figures of 3/20 against Lucknow Super Giants highlighted his impact on his return to the side.
Team News from Both Camps
The Gujarat Titans are diligently striving to establish their optimal starting XI amid the ongoing campaign, grappling with the void left by Hardik Pandya’s departure following a trade. Additionally, the absence of David Miller sidelined for at least another 10 days due to a niggle has further unsettled the team’s middle order.
On the flip side, the Delhi Capitals have struggled to field a consistent starting lineup capable of making a significant impact, resulting in frequent changes. However, after Jake Fraser-McGurk’s crucial role in their recent victory, the Capitals are likely to hand another IPL debut to new signing Lizaad Williams who has replaced Harry Brook in the DC squad.
Yet, the team faces setbacks with Mitchell Marsh’s departure due to a hamstring tear. Moreover, the potential absence of David Warner, injured while executing a ramp shot against Lucknow Super Giants, could further impact the team’s dynamics.
Predicted XIs
Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill ©, Matthew Wade (wk), Abhinav Manohar, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Spencer Johnson
Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, Yash Dhull, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Rishabh Pant © (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Shai Hope, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Lizaad Williams, Khaleel Ahmed
Prediction
As both teams strive to maintain their respective positions and bolster their playoff aspirations, the margin for error remains minimal in the ongoing season.
Gujarat Titans are set to encounter a substantial challenge as they face the Delhi Capitals on their home turf. However, with due consideration given to their current form and the calibre of players within their roster, the Gujarat Titans hold a notable advantage over the Delhi-based franchise.