*GT VS SRH PREVIEW- MATCH 62*
*THE BUILD UP:*
As it stands, after the clash between RR and RCB, they sit next to last - a position that is certainly not to change after the second game of Sunday's double-header involving another lowly side KKR. Such is the predicament of the Sunrisers.
But Sunrisers know that a collective performance and a win against a settled side, whom they haven't faced this season, will not only keep their faint hopes flickering, but might also potentially disturb the equation for other teams in this business end of the tournament.
GT, on the other hand, have been flying high and have more or less a settled playing group with players in different departments clicking. Though they are yet to qualify, for GT, it’s more about sealing that Top 2 finish which they have an opportunity to do if they emerge victorious tonight at their home ground against a side that have not punched above their weight this season.
*SRH PROBABLE XI:*
Abhishek Sharma, Anmolpreet Singh, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), Glenn Phillips, Abdul Samad, T Natarajan, Mayank Markande, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Fazalhaq Farooqi
For a minimum of 1000 runs scored this season, Sunrisers' Nos. 3-7 batters have the lowest strike rate (134.45), have hit the least number of fifties (three) and have struck the least sixes (49) among all sides this IPL.
This statistics highlights the core troubles of SRH, it’s the middle overs phase while batting despite some of the finest T20 stars up their ranks, that has purely led to them not performing upto their merit. The Captain to begin with, must step up now that the tourney is on the verge of coming to a competitive end.
At a ground with bigger boundaries and with the weather expected to remain hot and humid, Mayank Markande and Farooqi, could prove to be handy picks who could instill some serious damage to the GT batters. And with GT not enjoying a full home win record, we may as well see them under the pump having lost steam in the second half.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Vivrant Sharma to play as the impact substitute with Anmolpreet/Tripathi playing a similar role if they bat second.
*GT PROBABLE XI:*
Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya(c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Abhinav Manohar, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad
Gill turns into a flesh eating beast upon seeing the Narendra Modi stadium. He averages 75.14 in 10 innings in Ahmedabad, with 526 runs, 3 fifties, a hundred, and a highest of 126*, and a stunning strike-rate of 152.46. This is enough to prove what his happy hunting ground is and what we expect from him at this venue.
David Miller has now batted ten times this IPL, but is yet to hit a half-century. The last time he had batted for at least eight innings but did not get a fifty was in 2016. Though Miller is known for his ability to break the opposition’s back with his finishing skills, he hasn’t turned up this year the way GT would like it. Though, he has still been in stellar form, a fifty from the big Protea is still due.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Mohit Sharma to adorn this role with Shankar playing a similar role if Gujarat bat second.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THIS GAME:*
*FOR SRH:*
Highest run getter- Rahul Tripathi/Abhishek Sharma
Highest wicket taker- Mayank Markande/Bhuvneshwar Kumar
*FOR GT:*
Highest run getter- Shubman Gill/Hardik Pandya
Highest wicket taker- Rashid Khan/Mohammad Shami
*FOR THE GAME:*
I want SRH to compete well and win this game so that it becomes a tough race between teams to seal the Top2. Based on form however, GT edge past SRH.