Who will win today’s IPL 2023 match between GT and KKR?
The Gujarat Titans (GT) haven’t missed a beat since winning the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL).
Hardik Pandya and his team have already won two games in the new season and are ranked third with a net run rate of 0.700. They first defeated the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at home before travelling to the Delhi Capitals (DC) to extend their lead.
GT will have the opportunity to reach the top of the points table when they face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2023 Match 13 in Ahmedabad on Sunday, April 9.
This year, KKR is one of the most underdog teams and is unlikely to make the playoffs. They did, however, pull off a superb home win in their previous game, using their dangerous spin trio to choke the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) into submission.
GT and KKR only met once last season, with the former winning by eight runs. What will happen in Ahmedabad on Sunday afternoon?
IPL 2023, GT vs KKR Match Prediction: The unbeaten Titans look to maintain their momentum against the Knight Riders.
Varun Chakaravarthy appears to be in top bowling form.
KKR will take heart from the fact that they defeated RCB despite missing some of their key players.
Andre Russell, the team’s star all-rounder, had a first-ball duck and did not bowl. Tim Southee, the lead pacer, had his second costly outing in a row, while captain Nitish Rana once again lied with the bat.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Suyash Sharma, and Rinku Singh were among the underrated players in KKR’s lineup. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine, the lead spinners, were also in their element, and Shardul Thakur hit a blinder.
Fortunately for the Knight Riders, the Ahmedabad wicket is not a graveyard for spinners. Narine and Chakaravarthy could thrive in the middle overs, especially if Shubman Gill is dismissed early.
The Titans’ bowling might, on the other hand, is likely to be too much for Kolkata to handle. Venkatesh Iyer and Mandeep Singh have looked extremely shaky, while the middle order hasn’t inspired enough confidence to contend with the likes of Rashid Khan.
More importantly, KKR have obvious weaknesses against quality pace bowling. GT has three world-class bowlers in Mohammad Shami, Alzarri Joseph, and Josh Little who can trouble opposing batters throughout an innings.
Even captain Hardik Pandya, who can send down some lethal bouncers, could be a massive weapon.
KKR’s path to two points would entail seeing out key GT bowlers and dismissing Gill early. However, those two things are easier said than done, and it’s safe to say that their performances and team strength do not indicate that they will be competitive against the defending champions.
If fit, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Lockie Ferguson will relish the chance to prove their worth to their former club. Pandya and co., on the other hand, should be able to keep their unbeaten record in IPL 2023.