With both teams coming off victories in their previous encounters, they seek to break the pattern of alternating wins and losses
Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals will aim to stabilise their fluctuating form as they face off at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 17th. With both teams coming off victories in their previous encounters, they seek to break the alternating wins and losses pattern. In their last three head-to-head clashes, Gujarat Titans have emerged victorious twice, while Delhi Capitals secured a win on one occasion. As they take the field, both teams will be eager to string together consecutive victories and gain momentum in the IPL season.
Let's delve into the riveting clashes between GT and DC, where bowlers have often left an indelible mark on the proceedings. Here are the top five bowling feats that have illuminated these encounters.
Of the four wickets Shami claimed, three were dismissals caught behind the stumps
In the 2023 season, Shami's stellar performances earned him the prestigious Purple Cap with a staggering tally of 28 wickets in 17 matches. One of his standout bowling displays came in match number 44 against Delhi, where he exhibited his mastery by claiming four crucial wickets.
Shami's scalps included the prized wickets of Phil Salt, Priyam Garg, Rilee Rossouw, and Manish Pandey, dismantling the opposition's top order. Even more remarkable was his economy rate of 2.75, indicating his ability to contain runs while consistently picking up wickets. His exceptional spell was pivotal in restricting DC to a modest total of 130 runs. Despite Shami's heroics with the ball, GT fell agonisingly short of the target by just five runs in their pursuit of victory.
Rashid Khan's celebration after bowling Abishek Porel was a sight to behold
During the 7th match of the season, Rashid Khan's performance was a testament to his skill and experience as a premier leg-spinner in T20 cricket, proving why he is a vital asset for the Gujarat Titans. He took three crucial wickets against DC. In the 12.2 over, he delivered a fuller ball bowled, catching Abishek Porel off-guard. Later, in the 16.2 over, he induced another dismissal, this time of Sarfaraz Khan. He struck again in the 18.4 over, dismissing Aman Hakim Khan. His team won the match by six wickets by chasing the target of 162 set by DC.
In that exact intense match where Shami shone with his bowling figures of four wickets for just 11 runs, Ishant Sharma displayed an outstanding performance for Delhi, guiding his team to a historic maiden win against Gujarat. Sharma's bowling brilliance was evident as he claimed two crucial wickets for just 23 runs, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 5.75. One of his standout moments came in the 4.6th over, where he executed a flawless knuckleball to dismiss Vijay Shankar. In a nail-biting final over, with Gujarat needing 12 runs to seal the win, Sharma's impeccable bowling not only defended the runs but also claimed the crucial wicket of Rahul Tewatia.
In their first encounter against Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans emerged victorious by 14 runs in a closely contested match. While GT showcased their batting prowess, Mustafizur Rahman from Delhi Capitals stole the spotlight with his exceptional bowling performance. He claimed three crucial wickets: Mathew Wade, Rahul Tewatia, and Abhinav Manohar. His ability to consistently hit the right lines and lengths and his deceptive variations made life difficult for the Gujarat batters. With an impressive economy rate of 5.75, he showcased his ability to control the game and create pressure on the opposition. With over 50 wickets in the IPL, he has proven to be a consistent wicket-taker and a vital asset to his team's bowling attack.
Lockie Ferguson delivered a double blow by dismissing both Prithvi Shaw and Mandeep Singh in the same over
In the exact match, Lockie Ferguson showcased an exceptional bowling display for Gujarat, earning him the Player of the Match award. His figures of 4/28 with an economy rate of 7.00 were instrumental in Gujarat's victory over Delhi Capitals. Ferguson's impact was felt early in the game as he claimed two crucial wickets in his first over. He dismissed Prithvi Shaw, and shortly after, he sent Mandeep Singh back to the pavilion in the 5th over. As the match progressed, Ferguson continued to trouble the Delhi Capitals batters with his pace and accuracy. His third wicket came in the 14th over when he tempted Rishabh Pant into a mistimed pull shot, resulting in a simple catch at deep backward square leg. He wasn't done yet and struck again in the same over, claiming his fourth wicket by inducing a thin edge from Axar Patel down the leg side.
