Versatile GT seek first win against well-rounded DC at home
DC have a 2-0 record against GT in Ahmedabad, and this time, it will be a tussle for the top spot
Hemant Brar
18-Apr-2025
Big picture: GT defy expectations yet again
Gujarat Titans (GT) are the prime example of why first impressions could be misleading. Before IPL 2022, their inaugural season, no one gave them a chance. GT not only went on to win the title but also came within one ball of defending it the following year.
They had a miserable 2024 but the original script seems to be repeating in IPL 2025. Before the start of the season, their top three looked all too similar, almost playing the role of anchors, while their middle order was virtually non-existent. But GT have again defied expectations and come out as one of the stronger teams in the tournament.
Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler have ensured their middle order doesn't get exposed too soon. At the same time, all three have improved their strike rates from last season. GT's stronger suit, again, is their bowling, led by Mohammed Siraj in the powerplay, and Prasidh Krishna in the middle overs, while R Sai Kishore has made up for Rashid Khan's below-par returns.
On Saturday afternoon, though, they are up against a well-rounded Delhi Capitals (DC) - a team that has a 2-0 record against them in Ahmedabad. One of those games was played on a red-soil pitch, the other on a black-soil one. Unlike many other teams, GT seem to have a say in the pitch preparation at home. Given both teams have strong pace and spin attacks, it would be interesting to see what type of pitch GT dish out.
With five wins from six games, DC are currently at the top of the points table. A win on Saturday will mean they remain in pole position. If GT win, they will be guaranteed the top spot, too.
Form guide
Gujarat Titans LWWWW (last five matches, most recent first)
Delhi Capitals WLWWW
Delhi Capitals WLWWW
New loyalties
It was at GT that Mohit Sharma's career got a second wind. During IPL 2023, he emerged as their go-to death bowler and finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. This season, he is with DC.
Team news and likely XIIs
The pitch will decide who out of Washington Sundar and Kulwant Khejroliya plays. Dasun Shanaka has joined the GT squad as a replacement for Glenn Phillips, but he may not be available for this game. There has been no update on Kagiso Rabada's return either.
Gujarat Titans (probable): 1 Shubman Gill (capt), 2 B Sai Sudharsan, 3 Jos Buttler (wk), 4 Sherfane Rutherford, 5 Shahrukh Khan, 6 Washington Sundar, 7 Rahul Tewatia, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Arshad Khan, 10 R Sai Kishore, 11 Mohammed Siraj, 12 Prasidh Krishna
If Faf du Plessis is fit for DC, he could replace Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has scored only 55 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 105.76. Kuldeep Yadav had hurt his shoulder against Rajasthan Royals (RR), but Axar Patel hinted it was nothing major.
Delhi Capitals (probable): 1 Faf du Plessis/Jake Fraser-McGurk, 2 Abishek Porel, 3 Karun Nair, 4 KL Rahul (wk), 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 Axar Patel (capt), 7 Ashutosh Sharma, 8 Vipraj Nigam, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Mohit Sharma, 12 Mukesh Kumar
The big question: A spin-off
Rashid, Sai Kishore and Washington on one side. Kuldeep, Axar and Vipraj Nigam on the other. Who will come out on top?
Which team has the better spin attack?
3.2K votesGujarat Titans
Delhi Capitals
In the spotlight: Sherfane Rutherford and Tristan Stubbs
His struggle against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) notwithstanding, Sherfane Rutherford has provided plenty of solidity to GT's middle order. Building on the platform set by the top three, he has scored 158 runs in six innings at an average of 39.50 and a strike rate of 166.31. This is way better than his overall T20 numbers: average 23.48, strike rate 136.06. With Phillips out of the tournament, Rutherford's form becomes even more important for GT.
Tristan Stubbs is showing why he was one of the four players retained by DC ahead of the mega auction. With 152 runs in six innings, he is their third-highest run-getter this season. But Stubbs' genius lies in the details. He has a strike rate of 211.53 in the death overs, while his overall dot-ball percentage of 17.20 is the best in the league (min. 50 balls faced).
Key stats: Rahul vs Rashid
- Last season, Gill's strike rate in the powerplay was 131.08. This time it's 151.19.
- Buttler has a strike rate of 177.41 against Mitchell Starc, while getting out only once in seven innings.
- KL Rahul has struggled against Rashid. He has a strike rate of just 96.96 against him, while being dismissed three times in nine innings.
- Siraj has picked up seven wickets in the powerplay, the joint-most in the tournament alongside Khaleel Ahmed of Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
- Among those who have bowled at least ten overs in IPL 2025, Kuldeep has the best economy rate (6.04).
Pitch and conditions: Piping hot
The red-soil pitch offers good pace and bounce. The black-soil pitch is slow and helps spinners. It needs to be seen what GT choose. It's a day game, and the forecast is of "excessive heat", with the temperature during the match expected to be around 38°C.
Hemant Brar is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo