Trying on the Gujarat Titans (GT) squad forward of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season, not many cricket pundits gave them an opportunity to complete within the top-four after the league stage. The Hardik Pandya-led squad, nonetheless, has exceeded expectations of their debut season. They ended the league stage as table-toppers, successful 10 of their 14 video games.
Whereas Pandya has been spectacular with the bat, scoring 413 runs at a strike of 131.52, with 4 half-centuries, opener Shubman Gill has additionally notched up 403 at a strike price of 133.88. He too has 4 fifties to his credit score. With the ball, each Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan have claimed 18 wickets every in 14 matches.
3 components which will cease GT from successful IPL 2022 crown
Gujarat will tackle second-placed Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2022 on the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday, Could 24.
Whereas they are going to be assured of doing nicely within the playoffs, we take a look at three the explanation why GT won’t win the IPL trophy of their maiden try
#1 Their discomfort batting first
Undoubtedly, Gujarat have been one of many strongest sides within the competitors, however they don’t seem to be invincible. Their discomfort whereas batting first has been uncovered greater than as soon as within the league stage. In actual fact, their first defeat in IPL 2022 got here after they have been requested to bat first by the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). They managed solely 162 for 7 and succumbed to an eight-wicket loss.
In one other sport towards the Punjab Kings (PBKS), they determined to bat first after successful the toss. The transfer backfired as they have been held to 143 for 8 and went down by eight wickets once more.
Even of their final league match towards the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), they suffered one other eight-wicket hammering after deciding to bat first. Three huge defeats whereas batting first doesn’t augur nicely for the table-toppers.
After all, it isn’t just like the Titans haven’t gained matches after batting first. They beat the Delhi Capitals (DC) by 14 runs, RR by 37 runs and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by eight runs. However the truth stays that three of their 4 losses within the league stage got here whereas batting first. Given an opportunity, RR might look to take advantage of this Achilles heel in GT’s sport.
#2 No solutions to No. 3 quandary
One of many principal the explanation why Gujarat have struggled with the bat whereas batting first is as a result of they haven’t had a settled No. 3. Vijay Shankar batted on the essential place within the franchise’s first two video games however did not impress. He was injured after that, which gave Sai Sudharsan a chance to make his mark.
The teenager responded with scores of 35 and 11, solely to be neglected as soon as Shankar was match. The latter got here again and registered one other failure towards RR, perishing for two off 7. Retained for the following sport, he scored a duck as GT’s No. 3 woes worsened.
After Shankar was dropped, Gujarat skipper Pandya determined to occupy the one-down slot and, in his first match on the place, scored 67 off 49 towards the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). A few video games later, although, Sudharsan was recalled and given the accountability of batting at No. 3 once more. He top-scored with an unbeaten 65 towards PBKS in a shedding trigger.
The musical chairs, although, continued as Pandya returned to No. 3 within the subsequent sport. Sudharsan has been out of the taking part in XI for the final three video games with Matthew Wade being recalled. The Aussie, although, has solely managed scores of 10, 20 and 16. It stays to be seen who bats on the decisive place in Qualifier 1.
#3 Mohammed Shami’s tempo companion
Veteran pacer Shami has been glorious for Gujarat with the ball, particularly at the beginning of the innings. He has claimed 18 wickets in 14 matches at a mean of twenty-two.88 and an economic system price of seven.77. From KL Rahul to Devon Conway, he has dismissed the in-form openers within the opposition camp numerous occasions. What he has been missing although is assist from the opposite finish at the beginning of the innings.
Gujarat started with Varun Aaron, who performed the primary couple of matches. Kiwi Lockie Ferguson kicked-off IPL 2022 in spectacular vogue however has misplaced his rhythm because the match has progressed. He has claimed 12 wickets from as many matches at an economic system price of 9.06. Yash Dayal has carried out a good job, with 9 wickets in seven video games. However his inexperience has come to the fore as he has gone at over 9 an over.
Additionally Learn
Article Continues beneath
GT have Alzarri Joseph as nicely, who has performed eight video games and has picked up seven wickets. However he has a settled position within the center overs and the franchise wouldn’t wish to disturb his momentum. Pandya has opened the bowling the final couple of video games however hasn’t been too efficient.
