IPL 2024: Gujarat Titans’ strongest predicted playing XI against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Match 45

Gujarat Titans ( Photo source : IPL )

Gujarat Titans (GT) will be up against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 45 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The two are scheduled to clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, April 28. The two teams are going head-to-head for the first time this season.

Shubman Gill and Co. are coming off a narrow defeat that they suffered against the Delhi Capitals in their previous match. Chasing a daunting target of 225, the 2022 champions fell four runs short of the target and ended their innings at 220/8. With their recent loss, they are currently in the seventh position in the points table with eight points. 

RCB, on the other hand, was on a six-match losing streak, and finally ended it by registering their second win of the season over the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Opting to bat first, RCB crossed the 200-run mark and set a target of 207 runs for the 2016 champions to chase. SRH experienced a batting collapse, resulting in them losing the game by 35 runs. With their recent win, they are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table with four points. 

Here’s the probable playing XI for GT versus RCB IPL 2024 clash:

Openers: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill (c)

Shubman Gill. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

The opening pair has been a big issue for GT’s poor performance in the season. Since the start of the season, Shubman Gill has been scoring runs consistently but hasn’t gotten proper support from the other side. The side has tried multiple opening combos so far, but none of them match Gill, resulting in poor opening partnerships, which eventually put immense pressure on the middle-order.  

Veteran keeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha has played seven out of nine matches in the ongoing season and has scored just 130 runs. He was brought back into the playing XI but failed to produce the fiery start that was expected of him. GT is likely to continue with the same opening duo, but their hope will primarily be on their skipper. Gill has been in great touch with 304 runs from nine matches so far.

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Middle-order: Abhinav Manohar and Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson. (Source -Getty Images)

GT’s middle order is a big concern as some key players fail to perform at their best. The side might witness the return of experienced campaigner Kane Williamson. The Kiwi batter has played just two games and scored a mere 27 runs. But with the consistent batting collapses, the team management might give Kane another chance.

Abhinav Manohar hasn’t had a good run this season, but considering Shahrukh Khan’s failure, he will be part of the playing XI in the upcoming match. Manohar has shown his power-hitting skills in previous seasons which is exactly what GT needs in the latter stages of the game.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Points Table 

All-rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan. (Source -IPL)

Azmatullah Omarzai had a decent outing with the ball in the last match against DC, conceding an economy of 8.25. The Afghanistan all-rounder will look to contribute in both departments in the upcoming matches to cement his position in the XI. GT hasn’t explored much of Rahul Tewatia’s bowling skills, but they made good use of his finishing capabilities. 

Rashid Khan is another player who can turn the tide in his team’s favour with both bat and the ball. Known for his big hitting in the lower-middle order, the Afghan all-rounder’s primary strength is bamboozling opposition batters with mystery spin deliveries. In the last game against DC, he almost took his side over the rope with his 11-ball-21 run knock. 

Bowlers: Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad, Sandeep Warrier, Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

R Sai Kishore who was coming off a Player of the Match performance against Punjab Kings, got just one over to bowl in the last game against DC. The left-handed orthodox wasn’t given another chance to bowl after he conceded 22 runs off his one over. In the last match, Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmed picked up one wicket at an economy of 12 and bowled three overs. 

Sandeep Warrier and Mohit Sharma will handle the pace bowling duties for the Gujarat-based franchise. The Tamil Nadu cricketer had a brilliant outing in the last match, picking three wickets and giving just 15 runs. Mohit Sharma is the highest wicket-taker for GT this season with 10 wickets. He will be a key bowler, especially at the death, but the right-arm pacer needs to control the runs flowing for an effective outing.

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GT’s predicted XI against RCB:

Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill (c), Kane Williamson, Azmatullah Omarzai, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad, Sandeep Warrier, Mohit Sharma 

 Impact Substitute: Sai Sudharsan