The 12th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 promises to be a thrilling encounter as Gujarat Titans (GT) lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 31, 3:30 PM IST.
Both teams come into the contest with identical records, having secured one win and suffered one defeat in their opening two matches.
The Titans, under the leadership of their new captain, Shubman Gill, displayed resilience in their opening encounter against Mumbai Indians (MI), snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. However, their second match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) exposed their vulnerabilities. Conversely, the opening match of the tournament witnessed a close encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and SRH. Despite a strong batting display from the Orange Army, KKR managed to secure the win. However, Sunrisers bounced back emphatically in their next outing, setting a new record for the highest team total in T20 history with a staggering 277 runs against MI.
Curbing SRH batting will be paramount for the Titans. The absence of their pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has hampered their ability to take early wickets, and even the usually reliable Rashid Khan hasn’t been at his best. Hyderabad too has bowling concerns, with their attack proving inconsistent so far.
The spotlight will be on key performers from both sides. Shubman Gill, with a phenomenal average of 75.09 in T20 matches played at Ahmedabad (including three centuries), will be crucial at the top of the order for GT. Meanwhile, Heinrich Klaasen has been in red-hot form this season, accumulating 143 runs at a staggering strike rate of 226.98.
In the bowling department, Bhuvneshwar Kumar‘s prowess in the powerplay overs is unmatched, with the highest number of scalps (61) in IPL history during that phase. Mohit Sharma, on the other hand, has been a death-overs specialist, being the joint-highest wicket-taker in the last five overs since the 2023 season (22 wickets).
Head-to-Head:
Interestingly, the head-to-head record between these two teams favours Gujarat with a narrow 2-1 lead. With both teams boasting exceptional talent and a hunger for victory, this encounter promises to be a closely fought battle.
Where-to-Watch:
OTT: JioCinema