Gujarat Titans will probably be searching for its third consecutive IPL 2023 win when it takes on Kolkata Knight Riders on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Nitish Rana’s aspect, having had a shaky begin to this yr’s competitors, reeled off an 81-run win in opposition to the Royal Challengers Bangalore at house.
There had been just a few positives for KKR, with Shardul Thakur and Rinku Singh among the many runs. A secure batter at No. 3 remains to be a priority for them, however due to match-winning spinners like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, the Knight Riders will really feel assured. If KKR adopts a three-man spin assault, it might think about opening the bowling with Narine whereas Chakravarthy and the third spinner function by means of the center overs. The lack of penetrative quick bowling choices means KKR should depend on its potent spin choices for early breakthroughs.
Knight Riders has signed England batter Jason Roy, for Rs 2.8 crore, as a substitute participant. Roy final performed the IPL in 2021, having pulled out in 2022 after being acquired by the Titans within the public sale. KKR’s batting line-up, on paper, is arguably one of many weakest within the competitors – particularly if Andre Russell fails to fireside and Venkatesh Iyer’s beginning troubles proceed. Much will depend upon whether or not the openers can click on however they should deal with Mohammad Shami’s early seam motion and Alzarri Joseph’s middle-over hostility. Roy has joined the Kolkata aspect and if out there for Sunday, he will probably be a giant enhance for it.
KKR’s batting line-up blended proper and left-handers – three apiece within the high six – within the win in opposition to RCB, a mixture that may lend flexibility in tackling Rashid Khan. The Titans leggie has dismissed left-handers 44 occasions within the IPL at 6.55 and right-handers 73 occasions at 6.30. Rashid’s faceoff with Russell may very well be decisive; he has dismissed him 4 occasions in T20 cricket and conceded 54 off 38. If KKR does determine to see off Rashid’s overs with out dangers, then the best way Hardik Pandya, Yash Dayal, and Joseph bowl is also an enormous consider deciding the end result.
Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan has completed a commendable job filling the hole left by Kane Williamson at No. 3 for Gujarat Titans. Not for nothing did Indian spin spearhead R. Ashwin need him fast-tracked into the Tamil Nadu aspect after he had performed only one TNPL recreation in 2021. Sudharsan had scored 358 runs in eight innings at a strike fee of just below 144 that yr.
The presence of a finisher like David Miller has allowed GT to mix Miller’s belligerence with the calmness of anchor gamers like Sudharsan.
The Narendra Modi Stadium has 11 pitches, six pink and 5 black-soil pitches. The one used for the IPL opener had bounce, and though there was not a lot tempo in it, it nonetheless supplied some considerable seam motion early on. KKR’s potent spin division would maybe discourage GT from utilizing a black-soil deck that turns and stops — one of many many benefits of the home-and-away format, the place groups can tailor the pitches at house to problem the visiting groups.
Both sides have been strong in dying bowling, conceding lower than 10 runs per over between 17-20. The assault with higher planning and accuracy in execution will take pleasure in an higher hand in Ahmedabad.
Source web site: sportstar.thehindu.com
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