In a pivotal encounter in Ahmedabad, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins opted to bowl first against Gujarat Titans (GT). This decision came on a black-soil pitch, similar to the one GT utilised against Mumbai Indians (MI), where they were put into bat, defending 196 successfully. Despite losing the toss once more, GT looked to leverage familiar conditions.
GT have made one change following their last defeat, bringing in Gerald Coetzee for Karim Janat. The rest of the team remained unchanged, and with only three overseas players in the starting XI, Sherfane Rutherford was listed among the substitutes. It was a tactical choice, enabling them to consider introducing him later if required, especially if the batting lineup faced a setback. GT’s batting depth saw Rashid Khan slated at number seven, alongside a sextet of bowlers, including Washington Sundar.
SRH, who have yet to defeat GT in Ahmedabad, retained the squad from their victory over Chennai Super Kings. With only six points from nine games, each match is critical for them to preserve playoff aspirations. Meanwhile, with 12 points, GT aim to secure a top-two finish, ensuring a safer path to the playoff stage.
The Gujarat Titans squad comprised Shubman Gill as captain, with Jos Buttler handling wicketkeeping duties. The eleven also featured impactful players like Rashid Khan and new entrant Coetzee. The SRH lineup saw Ishan Kishan and Nitish Kumar Reddy supporting Cummins at the helm, with Heinrich Klaasen taking charge behind the stumps.
Both teams have strategically compiled their squads, with figures like Ishant Sharma and Arshad Khan in GT’s impact player list, while SRH have options like Abhinav Manohar and Travis Head waiting on the sidelines.
Today’s match holds significant stakes, particularly for SRH in their bid to stay in the tournament hunt, while GT continue their push towards solidifying a playoff spot.
