IPL 2023: Lack of Quality In Indian Pace Attack May trouble Delhi Capitals against Gujarat Titans

03.04.2023 - 11:55 sports.ndtv.com

Delhi Capitals' Indian pace unit will have to punch above its weight against a formidable Gujarat Titans unit, which will start as overwhelming favourites in its first away match of the season, here on Tuesday.

The defending champions have all their bases covered despite Kane Williamson being ruled out of the tournament after a serious knee injury.

The hosts, on the other hand, are looking like an outfit that is bereft of a Plan B as it became apparent in their 50-run thrashing at the hands of Lucknow Super Giants.

The primary worry is the composition of Indian pace attack, which mildly put is below par when Anrich Nortje isn't there to spearhead the attack.

cricket Delhi Capitals Trouble Hardik Pandya Kyle Mayers Gujarat Titans Shubman Gill South Africa India county Kane

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul was left bamboozled as his side faltered in an unlikely manner, while chasing a paltry target of 136 runs against Gujarat Titans. Rahul himself scored a half-century but didn't manage to finish the innings. After Lucknow's defeat against Gujarat, even the franchise's skipper was lambasted even though he scored 68 runs. Rahul was criticised by many for his knock as it came in 61 balls. Though the match ended in a defeat for his side, Rahul did manage to break a record of Virat Kohli during the match.

IPL 2023: Lucknow Super Giants Skipper KL Rahul Registers Unwanted Batting Record In Loss Against Gujarat Titans

India and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batter KL Rahul registered an unwanted record to his name on Saturday in the seven-run loss to defending champions Gujarat Titans in Lucknow. He played the third-slowest knock in IPL history, by a batter who has played atleast 60 balls in his innings. In the match, KL scored 68 off 61 balls. His knock consisted of eight boundaries. His runs came at a strike rate of 111.48. His knock is the third slowest in IPL history, behind JP Duminy, who played an inning of 59 (63) with a strike rate of 93.65 against Punjab Kings in 2009 while playing for Mumbai Indians (MI). Following him is Aaron Finch, who scored 68 (62) with a strike rate of 109.68 for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Mumbai Indians in 2014.

"Brainless": Venkatesh Prasad Blasts KL Rahul's Lucknow Super Giants After Shocking Loss Against Gujarat Titans

Former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad was extremely critical of KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants after they were beaten by Gujarat Titans in a last-over thriller. LSG were off a brilliant start and with Rahul scoring another half-century, they looked all set to clinch the win. However, with 17 runs needed from the last over, Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma produced a brilliant show of fast bowling as they could only manage to score 9 runs and lost four wickets in the final over. Rahul was guilty of slow batting as he slammed 50 off 33 balls but scored just 18 in the next 28 deliveries.

Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI vs Gujarat Titans, IPL 2023: Will Trent Boult Replace Kuldeep Sen?

Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals would be keen to break the jinx and show past results don't matter much when they face Gujarat Titans -- a side they have never defeated -- in IPL 2023 on Sunday. The Royals' top order has been one of the most devastating this season with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson helping the side to the highest average powerplay score of 66.8 among 10 teams in IPL 2023. Besides, Buttler's powerplay strike rate of 196.6 is the best among batters, not to forget that he has scored a whopping 114 runs in those crucial six overs so far. Also Jaiswal's 92 at a strike rate of 184 in the powerplay overs so far is something the Titan's won't take lightly.

Lucknow Super Giants Predicted XI vs Punjab Kings, IPL 2023: Will Quinton De Kock Replace Kyle Mayers?

Lucknow Super Giants take on Punjab Kings at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The KL Rahul-led side has won its last two games, and another win on Saturday will take it to the top spot in the IPL standing. While skipper Rahul has struggled with his strike-rate so far, the Super Giants have found new heroes to take the team home. If Krunal Pandya produced an all-round show against Sunrisers Hyderabad, West Indian Nicholas Pooran's breath-taking 19-ball 62 helped them to chase down a difficult 212 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last match.

Gujarat Titans Predicted XI vs Punjab Kings, IPL 2023: Will Skipper Hardik Pandya Return To Steer GT?

After facing the wrath of Kolkata Knight Riders' Rinku Singh in their previous match, Gujarat Titans are all set to face Punjab Kings in their next IPL 2023 clash on Thursday in Mohali. Regular skipper Hardik Pandya had missed out on the match against KKR as he was unwell and his absence, spinner Rashid Khan took over the captaincy. KKR were chasing 205 and needed 29 off the last over, when Rinku Singh smashed five sixes off Yash Dayal and took his side a to a three-wicket win.