IPL 2024: Bottom-placed RCB face GT challenge in Ahmedabad
Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be up against each other in Match 45 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). As RCB have lost seven of their nine matches, a loss from here on could officially end their playoff hopes. GT also have had a poor run as they have just four wins in nine outings. Here is the match preview.
Pitch report and other details
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host this duel on April 28 (3:30pm IST). The wicket here usually assists the batters right from the start. This venue has played host to several high-scoring games in the tournament. However, spinners can outfox the batters here. One can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network and stream the same on JioCinema.
Here's the H2H record
As GT made their IPL debut in 2022, they have featured against RCB in just three matches. The head-to-head record is 2-1 in GT's favor. The Titans famously thrashed RCB by six wickets in the final group-stage game last year, ending the latter's hopes to enter the playoffs. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli scored centuries in that game as GT chased down 198.
Can RCB get another win?
RCB snapped their six-match losing streak in their preceding assignment against SRH. Though the win would have instilled confidence in their camp, their bowling remains an issue. Meanwhile, GT's middle order has let them down this season. The absence of Mohammed Shami is also felt in the bowling department. The Titans need a series of wins to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Here are the probable XIs
GT(Probable XIs): Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill (c), David Miller, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Warrier. Impact sub: Sai Sudharsan. RCB (Probable XIs): Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal. Impact sub: Swapnil Singh.
Here are the key performers
With 430 runs at a strike rate of 145.76, Kohli is the leading run-getter this season. Sai Sudharsan (334 at 37.11) and Shubman Gill (304 at 38) are GT's leading run-getters. Mohit Sharma's tally of 26 IPL wickets at an economy of 7.85 is the most for any bowler in Ahmedabad. Mohammed Siraj owns 33 powerplay wickets in IPL at an economy of 8.25.
