Team News and Strategy

Gujarat Titans (GT):
Gujarat have added Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka to the squad as a replacement for the injured Glenn Phillips. However, their historical reluctance to utilize Phillips—or fill their overseas quota—suggests Shanaka may serve more as a squad backup than a likely starter.

Intriguingly, Gerald Coetzee remains unused despite the continued absence of Kagiso Rabada. In their previous outing against Lucknow, Washington Sundar was promoted to bat at No. 4, signaling a tactical shuffle within the middle order.

Probable XI: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, Washington Sundar, Sherfane Rutherford (Impact sub: Prasidh Krishna), Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, R Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj

Delhi Capitals (DC):
Delhi’s recent form has been patchy. Their last win came in a dramatic Super Over finish against Rajasthan Royals, preceded by a loss to Mumbai Indians. The team is visibly under pressure, especially in their batting department, where questions are mounting over Jake Fraser-McGurk’s form.

Possible XI: Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel (Impact sub: Mukesh Kumar), Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Singh, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma

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Pitch and Conditions – Ahmedabad

The surface in Ahmedabad has been a run-scoring paradise this season. All three matches at the venue have been won by the team batting first, an anomaly compared to the historic chasing advantage. First-innings scores of 243, 196, and 217 highlight just how flat the pitch has been.

The high totals suggest that the ball change used mid-innings may be mitigating the effects of evening dew, traditionally a key factor in favour of chasing teams. As such, the pressure on teams batting second appears to be growing, with momentum favouring those who start strong.

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Tactical Insights and Outlook

Gujarat’s bowling attack is currently among the most efficient in the tournament, which gives them a consistent edge even when their batting lineup misfires. Their ability to defend totals and maintain discipline under pressure makes them strong contenders as the league progresses.

Delhi, on the other hand, seem to be in the middle of a recalibration. While they possess the star power to dominate, lapses in execution and strategic instability—particularly in batting order and overseas selection—are hurting their rhythm.

One key point of interest will be whether Gujarat finally bolster their middle order by integrating Shanaka, who offers a balanced skillset. That kind of proactive selection could sharpen their edge in tight encounters.

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Player to Watch

Sai Sudharsan continues to be one of the most reliable batters this season. With only one score below 49, he is currently just behind the tournament’s leading run-scorer. His form, combined with Gujarat’s potential path to the playoffs, makes him a standout performer worth monitoring.

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High-Scoring Battle on the Cards

Given the batting-friendly surface and firepower on both sides, another high-scoring affair is expected. Both sides have batters capable of accelerating through the middle overs, and the contest between the top orders could define the outcome.