IPL 2024 : Sensational GT In Need Of Batting Boost Against Hot-And-Cold DC In IPL 2024

From bowling the opposition out for 89 to being torn apart for 266 runs, the Delhi Capitals(DC) have been at two extremes. Not just these two games, but the season itself has been a bumpy ride for the Delhi Capitals(DC) who’ll be seeking to put a stop to the inconsistency that has relegated them to the bottom half of the table.

But despite the hammering they received at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Capital’s (DC) can seek solace from the fact that their opponents on Wednesday – Gujarat Titans – are the very team against whom DC came up with a commanding bowling display.

DC vs GT previous performances.

With three wins and five losses, DC find themselves in a complicated position in the standings. However, the side will aim to climb the table with a win against Gujarat. On the other hand, Gujarat Titans sit in sixth place in the standings with four wins in eight matches. The side’s campaign has looked shaky, and they will aim to improve with a win and hopefully climb the standings, staying in the race for the playoffs.

Among the positives for DC has been the arrival of Jake Fraser-McGurk who has struck two fifties in three games, including the fastest half-century for the Delhi team in the IPL and the joint third-fastest overall. They’d also like to reflect on their batting in the previous game, especially the way SRH’s managed to apply the brakes on DC despite their bright start in the chase.

Meanwhile, the Titans’ hot and cold journey has culminated in four wins out of eight games so far and they find themselves just outside the top five. But looking at their recent matches, apart from the batting collapse against DC, they have done reasonably well.

They are the only side to defeat Rajasthan Royals and they also overcame Punjab Kings. But apart from Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan in the top order and important contributions from Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan with the bat in the lower middle order, the Titans have struggled with their batting balance.

DC vs GT Head to Head

2-2. DC’s two wins both came in Ahmedabad while they lost once each in Pune and Delhi. Titans were bowled out for 89, a total that the Capitals chased down in 8.5 overs. The fast bowlers Mukesh Kumar, Ishant Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed made the difference for DC that evening in Ahmedabad.

DC vs GT Pitch Report

The surface at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi is quite slow and will provide some help to the spinners. However, the short nature of the boundary makes the batter hit some big shots and score runs rapidly. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss could be an optimal decision.

Last year, the re-laid pitches at the Kotla offered lateral movement and bounce for the seamers. This season, the Capitals played their first few home games in Vishakhapatnam to give the pitches in Delhi time to recover after hosting the WPL. On their return to Delhi last week, records tumbled when Sunrisers smashed 266, and the curator expects another run-fest. There was a thunderstorm that forced both teams to abort their training sessions on match-eve.

A high-scoring encounter, going by what transpired in the previous match here. A brief but heavy spell of showers disrupted the practice sessions for a while a day before the match but when the teams resumed, range and power-hitting was the first order of business for both teams. Expect more of that on match day.

DC vs GT Big picture – Axar, Kuldeep vs Rashid, Noor

There’s only so much wriggle room in the mid-table, with Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans desperately needing winning momentum in the second half of the league phase.

The Capitals have swung from sublime to ridiculous. They have four of the best powerplay performances by a bowling team this season, but they also have the second highest economy rate in the first six overs, after conceding 125 and 88 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders.

The Capitals had nearly taken their net run rate positive after dismissing Gujarat Titans for the season’s lowest total last week in Ahmedabad, but that high was short lived as Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma fired Sunrisers to 266 for 7 at the Kotla.

While they lost that chase against SRH, the Capitals provided a peek into what their future could look like, with Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tristan Stubbs and Abhishek Porel batting like daredevils. But the youngsters are likely to be tested by the Titans, who have a spin attack comprising Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and R Sai Kishore.

Capitals also have the spinners to match the Titans. Axar Patel had dream figures of 4-0-29-1 in a game where over 450 runs were scored, while Kuldeep Yadav bounced back after a first-over shellacking from Abhishek to take four wickets.

They could capitalize against one of the slowest top orders this season and a middle order that has lacked the role-clarity that was so crucial to their success in the previous two years. The spinners on both sides, however, will have to contend with a venue that has traditionally been a nightmare to bowl on with its short square boundaries.

DC vs GT Team News and Impact players strategy

Delhi Capitals
Mitchell Marsh is unavailable for the remainder of their campaign due to a hamstring strain. Ishant is also a doubtful starter as he continues to manage back spasms. Prithvi Shaw is likely to be subbed in or out for one of Khaleel Ahmed or Mukesh Kumar depending on whether Capitals bat or bowl first. If they are in trouble batting first and need an extra batter as an impact player, they could consider bringing in Jharkhand’s Kumar Kushagra.

DC vs GT In the spotlight

David Warner has scores of 1, 8, 10 and 18 in his last four innings. He has played the last two games with a finger injury he picked up while attempting a lap sweep on April 12. Jake Fraser-McGurk is making heads turn with his powerplay hitting – a strike rate of 236 off his first 10 deliveries – and presenting a case to be considered for the opening slot. While there’s no imminent threat to Warner’s place, another low score could give Capitals something to think about.

Shubman Gill was outstanding in IPL 2023, where he had a strike rate of more than 160 in six of his seven fifty-plus scores. This season, he has managed only one half-century in eight games, with his total tally at 289 runs. His form has somewhat mirrored his team’s batting fortunes and a big second half for Gill could be the boost Titans need to make a pitch for the playoffs for the third successive season.

Vital Stats that matters