IPL 2023 | Predicted Playing XI for Gujarat Titans vs Delhi Capitals

image-lh4w4fhcVijay Shankar and David Miller in partnership (AP Photo)

The 44th match of the 16th edition of IPL is expected to commence on May 2 as Gujarat Titans gear up to host Delhi Capitals at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. The game is originally scheduled for 7:30 PM local time. 

Gujarat Giant are towering the points table with 6 wins under their belt sitting with a healthy NRR of 0.638. The defending champions have looked nearly invincible in this year's IPL edition and have convincingly won their last three fixtures in grand style. 

On the opposite end, Delhi Capitals are currently undergoing one of their worst IPL campaigns. They have barely managed to secure only 2 wins out of 8 games and are situated right at the bottom of the points table with a horrid NRR of - 0.898. Capitals are nearly out of the play offs and are playing for their pride making this game a relatively one sided contest.

As we build up to this fixture, let us shed light on their possible playing Xl combinations and the probable impact players. 

Gujarat Giants

Openers 

Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha

The opening duo of Saha and Gill has been the mainstay of the GT batting line up in this year's IPL edition. Gill has been giving some nightmares to the opposition bowlers, scoring at an exhilarating rate of over 140 while averaging in the low 40's. On the other hand, Saha hasn't scored a lot of runs but still offers ample amount of support to his partner at the other end who is in the form of his life. 

Middle Order 

Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia

GT has one of the most balanced middle orders in this year's IPL season. It is a perfect blend of battle hardened domestic and international players. Hardik Pandya needs no introduction as he has a canny ability to bowl tight spells and pick up wickets at vital stages of the game.

However, his bowling hasn't been that impressive this season, one good game can surely turn things around for him. He has looked more assured with the bat this season and achieved his best score of 66 against LSG which got them over the line from an unlikely position. Vijay Shankar made his presence felt in their last game against KKR where he played a scintillating knock of 51 (24) to crush the home side by 7 wickets. 

Miller has played some crucial quickfire knocks that has helped his side accelerate through the middle overs. He is currently averaging 60 and is smacking it at an astronomical strike rate of over 150. Manohar has chipped in with some useful runs as well and emerged as the man of the match for his impressive knock of 42 (21) against MI. Tewatia is known to give finishing touches and can come as a handy lower order batsman. He hit the winning runs against PBKS and clinched a win for his side on the penultimate ball of the match. 

Bowlers

Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami

The magical spin bowling all-rounder from Afghanistan literally owns the format. Known for his power hitting abilities, Rashid can be very deceptive with the ball and prove to be a very threatening with his natural variations. He is currently the highest wicket taker for GT this season with 14 scalps to his name in just 8 games. He averages 20 with the ball and has maintained a decent economy rate of 8.75 RPO. 

Noor Ahmad is yet another talented spinner from Afghanistan who is following in his countryman's footsteps. He is currently the third highest wicket taker for GT this season 8 wickets to his name whilst maintaining an astounding economy rate of 7.39 RPO. 

Mohammed Shami has successfully spearheaded the GT pace battery this season. He is the second highest wicket taker for GT this season with 13 wickets to his name whilst averaging 18.15. Mohit Sharma has made a remarkable comeback after a nearly 3 year long hiatus. 

The 34-year-old looks in fine form as he has bagged two man of the match performances against against LSG and PBKS where he returned impressive figures of 2/17 and 2/18 respectively.

Predicted Playing XI of Gujarat Titans:

Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Hardik Pandya (Capt), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami

Impact Players

Josh Little

Yash Dayal

Sai Sudharsan 

Alzarri Joseph

Srikar Bharat

Delhi Capitals

Openers

David Warner and Phil Salt

With Prithvi Shaw sidelined, the DC think tank is likely to persist with David Warner and Phil Salt. Warner has come under fire for his painfully slow strike rate. Although he is the leading run getter for his side this season with 306 runs in just 8 games, his dismal strike rate of 118. 6 has lead to his side's undoing on numerous occasions. Phil Salt is short of runs and hasn't lived up to his reputation this season.

Middle Order

Manish Pandey, Mitchell Marsh, Abishek Porel, Aman Hakim Khan, Axar Patel 

Pandey has looked one of the most reliable batters in the fragile DC line-up. He has one 50 plus score to his name and has accumulated 132 runs at an average of 22. Marsh has been quite effective with the ball this season averaging just around 15 and has attained his best bowling figures of 4/27 against SRH this season. The very same game, he played a quickfire cameo of 63 (39) to drag his side to a near impossible win.

DC is likely to give the youngster Porel another go instead of Sarfaraz Khan whose batting has looked in shambles this season. Aman Hakim Khan hasn't got a lot of runs under his belt but has the ability to use the long handle very well in critical times. Axar Patel is a ray of hope for his depleted DC side. He is the second highest run scorer for DC this season averaging 35.17 with the bat whilst having a much robust strike rate of 142.57 as opposed to Warner. He has also been tidy with the ball going at just under 7.1 RPO whilst averaging just under 27. 

Bowlers

Kuldeep Yadav, Chetan Sakariya, Mukesh Kumar, Anrich Nortje

Kuldeep is the second highest wicket taker for DC this season trailing just behind Axar. He currently has 7 wickets to his name while averaging 27.71. Chetan has only had one game so far and was blown away for plenty conceding 53 runs in his allotted 4 overs but managed to get 2 scalps to his name. 

Mukesh Kumar has also been on the higher side going at over 10 runs per over with 5 wickets to his name. Nortje has been the most potent DC seamer who has bowled with fire and venom. However, he needs to turn this around for his side as his bowling average has worsened this season hovering around 40 with just 6 wickets in 7 games. 

Predicted Playing XI of Delhi Capitals:

David Warner (Capt), Phil Salt (wk), Manish Pandey, Mitchell Marsh, Abishek Porel, Aman Hakim Khan, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Chetan Sakariya, Mukesh Kumar, Anrich Nortje

Impact Players

Ishant Sharma

Ripal Patel

Priyam Garg

Yash Dhull

Lalit Yadav