GT vs DC Preview - Match 44

*GT VS DC MATCH 44 PREVIEW*

*THE BUILD UP:*

*CLASH OF TWO EXTREME POSITIONS ON THE TABLE:*

While GT are placed at the first position, Delhi are suffering from a bad patch of cricket and are stuck at the 10th position. They have had their good moments in this tourney but have failed to convert them into match winning moments. The return to form in the DC camp for Marsh should be a much needed confidence booster for a side whose overseas picks have been rather mediocre. GT on the other hand have more or less secured qualification. With just two losses in 8 games, they are flying high and another win here should seal the deal for them. However Gujarat with the freak show that they give would hope for a top 2 finish so that their chances of defending the title become stronger than expected. 

*DC PROBABLE XI:*

Phil Salt(wk), David Warner(c), Mitchell Marsh, Manish Pandey, Axar Patel, Sarfaraz Khan, Lalit Yadav/Ripal Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar 

The move to drop Shaw would have made much more sense with Salt, his replacement, firing last game from the word “go”. The Aggresive English opener did not let DC feel the absence of Warner who was dismissed for a duck, with his positive stroke play and a staggering partnership with Marsh. 

Marsh, who was clinical with the ball as well last game could use the bigger boundary dimensions to get more wickets tonight, if trusted enough with the ball. His hitting could take a hit with the aussie not adapting to such quick dimension changes but his experience to play on Australian bigger grounds should help his cause if he wants to dominate the Gujarat Titan bowlers. 

Warner enjoys his battle up against Shami and has been clinical against him. He scores at freewill against the Indian pacer and tonight should present him with another opportunity to get the better of Shami, who has been fantastic with the new ball. 

*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*

We may see Priyam Garg come out as the impact sub if DC bat second but Ripal Patel could be replaced by him if they bat first. 

*GT PROBABLE XI:*

Shubman Gill, Wridhiman Saha, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Shami, Josh Little, Mohit Sharma 

The bat dominating the ball this game shouldn’t come as surprise because of the trend that this ground has followed. Hardik Pandya who has produced below average returns with the bat would be looking to step on his game tonight and lead from the front. 

Shubman Gill has over 300 runs already this season and has been timing the ball extremely well. On a flattish track where Gill has dominated all bowling types, I am expecting him to come out on top again. 

*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*

The left arm youngster from Afghanistan, Noor Ahmed, has made sure that GT have the services of two world class Rashid Khan’s. He has taken the stage by storm and averages under 10 in the game he has played so far. The Leggie has been impressive not just with his wicket taking abilities but also his run containing skill. The bigger boundaries should come help again. 

*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*

*FOR DC:*
Highest run getter- David Warner/Mitchell Marsh 

Highest wicket taker- Anrich Nortje/Mukesh Kumar 

*FOR GT:*
Highest run getter- Shubman Gill/David Miller 

Highest wicket taker- Noor Ahmed/Rashid Khan 

*FOR THE GAME:*
GT likely to win but a strong comeback from DC should be interesting for how the points table shapes up.