In what is expected to be one of the most awaited contests of the tournament the Gujarat Titans would be up against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 40th game of the Indian Premier League 2022. The two sides are No. 1 and 2 on the points table and the winner of this game would be at the top. The Titans defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders in their last game while SHR annihilated the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last game. 

The two sides had met earlier in the tournament and the Sunrisers Hyderabad had registered an 8-wicket win. However, that is the only loss the Titans have suffered in the tournament, and they have played like a well-oiled machine. Both sides have their key players in good form. It will be a high-stakes battle as the sides fight for supremacy and we are likely to see a close encounter. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

GUJARAT TITANS PREVIEW

Hardik Pandya’s side was pushed around in the last game by the Kolkata Knight Riders, but their bowlers went about defending the low total winning it by 8 runs. With this win, the side nearly has a foot in the playoffs, and they would look to seal it defeating SRH. They had suffered a massive loss against Hyderabad earlier in the season and Pandya shall look to even it here. 

Shubman Gill has missed out in the last few games, and he would need to offer a good start in this game along with Wriddhiman Saha. Pandya played a good knock in the last game and he would aim to add runs with David Miller and Rahul Tewatia who have played brilliantly so far. Rashid Khan and Abhinav Manohar need to do well in the lower middle order as the side has some weaknesses in this department. 

Mohammad Shami has lived up to his reputation and he adds punch to the bowling attack for the side. He would need good support from Yash Dayal. Rashid Khan has generated a lot of turn from this track, and he will look to make life tough for the Hyderabad batsmen. Alazzari Joseph and Lockie Ferguson have a lot of experience and make this a well-balanced attack. 

Top Batsman – Shubman Gill     

Top Bowler – Rashid Khan

GUJARAT TITANS PREDICTED PLAYING XI:

Hardik Pandya (c), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Abhinav Manohar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Shami

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD PREVIEW

Five wins in a row have propelled Kane Williamson’s side as one of the top contenders for the title. The side comes here with a 9-wicket win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore where they bowled out the opponents for 68 runs. Their bowlers have been in excellent form and the side would need a good show from them as they take on a strong batting line-up that the Titans have. 

Abhishek Sharma and Williamson have given good starts in the last five games, and it has led the side to big wins. The middle-order has also done well, and they have a solid combination in Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, and Rahul Tripathi. The side would however be worried about its lower middle order who haven’t been out in the middle in the last five games. Shashank Singh and Jagadeesha Suchith do not have a big reputation down the order and their lack of match practice may affect the side. 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has gained form and along with Marco Jansen forms a strong bowling attack for the side. T Natarajan and Umran Malik have also bowled good lines winning games for the side, and they will look to carry their form forward in this game. Suchith shall have to do well in the supporting role as the Titans have big hitters of the ball in the side. 

Top Batsman – Kane Williamson    

Top Bowler – Umran Malik

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD PREDICTED PLAYING XI:

Kane Williamson (c), Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shashank Singh, Jagadeesha Suchith, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Marco Jansen, Umran Malik, T Natarajan

MATCH DETAILS:

Match: Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Match 40, IPL 2022
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Date & Time: April 27th, 7:30 PM

PITCH REPORT

Wankhede Stadium has been a high-scoring wicket in the last few games and the short boundaries have allowed the batters to take on the bowlers tactically. The captain that wins the toss is likely to stick with the option of bowling first as the dew factor will be one of the headaches for the skipper.

PROBABLE PLAYING XIS FOR GT VS SRH

GUJARAT TITANS

Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya (c), Abhinav Manohar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Shami

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD

Abhishek Sharma, Kane Williamson (c), Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shashank Singh, Jagadeesha Suchith, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Marco Jansen, Umran Malik, T Natarajan

PROBABLE TOP PERFORMERS

PROBABLE BEST BATTER OF THE MATCH: HARDIK PANDYA

Hardik Pandya has been outstanding so far in the tournament and he played another match-winning innings with the bat in the previous game against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The right-hander has accumulated 295 runs in six games already in the season and has led the side from the front by taking up the responsibility of batting up the order. He is likely to play as a pure batter in the upcoming fixture as fitness seems to be an issue whenever he starts bowling.

PROBABLE BEST BOWLER OF THE MATCH: LOCKIE FERGUSON

Lockie Ferguson bowled a good spell in the previous game giving away just 33 runs in his four overs and picked up one wicket as well. The right-arm quick has been clocking high speeds continuously and his slower ones have become a lot more effective with his pace rising. Ferguson can pick up wickets whenever the captain needs him to and he will be looking to continue his impressive form.

Today’s match prediction: GT to win the match.