Can Gujarat Titans Secure a Top Two Finish Against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
As IPL 2025 resumes, the Gujarat Titans face off against the Delhi Capitals in a crucial match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. With GT leading the points table and DC fighting for playoff survival, this match promises high-stakes drama. Can the Titans maintain their top position, or will the Capitals turn their fortunes around?
Key Takeaways
- Gujarat Titans aim for a top two finish in IPL 2025.
- Delhi Capitals struggle with batting consistency.
- GT's top three batters have impressive averages.
- DC's bowling faces uncertainty with player availability.
- Match holds significant playoff implications for both teams.
New Delhi, May 17 (NationPress) As IPL 2025 resumes following an unforeseen hiatus, the 2022 champions Gujarat Titans (GT) reignite their quest for a top two finish as they face off against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium this Sunday evening.
Currently, Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, sit atop the points table with 16 points and are just one victory away from securing a playoff berth. In contrast, Delhi Capitals find themselves in fifth place with 13 points, making their playoff aspirations tougher, especially with the absence of Mitchell Starc for the remainder of the tournament.
The success of GT in IPL 2025 is largely attributed to their formidable top three batters: Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler. Statistics from Cricket-21 highlight the incredible performance of GT’s top trio, boasting a batting average of 92.7 in the initial ten overs.
Openers Gill and Sudharsan, with 508 and 509 runs respectively, have excelled in navigating the power-play, leading to GT losing only seven wickets during this phase—the lowest among all competing teams—while maintaining an impressive run rate of 9.1. With Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler (with 500 runs) performing exceptionally, GT has experienced minimal setbacks during the middle and death overs.
They have lost just 19 wickets in the middle overs (the fewest of all ten teams) and 23 wickets during the death overs, with run rates of 9.8 and 12.2 respectively, marking the best statistics in the tournament.
On the bowling front, GT’s performance has been spearheaded by Prasidh Krishna, who is currently the leading wicket-taker with 20 scalps. He is well-supported by Mohammed Siraj (with 15 wickets) and left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore (with 14 wickets).
Conversely, the break in the tournament may have allowed Delhi Capitals to revisit their strategies, aiming for a strong run during this crucial phase. After starting their campaign with four straight wins, DC has struggled, securing only two victories in their last five matches, including a Super Over triumph against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at a venue they have yet to dominate.
DC’s downfall can be traced back to their lack of consistency and frequent changes in their batting lineup. They have utilized six different batters at the top order, resulting in a dismal batting average of 29.7 in the first ten overs—the second lowest among all teams—and a staggering 22 wickets lost during power-play, the highest in this phase.
The decline in DC’s batting coincides with KL Rahul’s diminishing performance, and expectations are high for him to rise to the occasion in this pivotal week for Axar Patel & Co. Furthermore, the team must ensure effective communication, as they have been involved in nine run-outs, the most in the competition.
In terms of bowling, the availability of Mustafizur Rahman following his national duty in Dubai is uncertain, leaving DC’s fast bowling unit somewhat lacking. Much will hinge on the effectiveness of Axar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Vipraj Nigam during the middle and death overs. With the playoffs looming and the heat rising in New Delhi, DC must find ways to tackle a formidable GT, who have shown remarkable efficiency across all facets.
When: Sunday, May 18 at 7:30 PM IST
Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Where to watch: Star Sports Network (TV) and JioHotstar (live streaming)
Squads:
Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel (captain), Faf du Plessis, KL Rahul (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, Vipraj Nigam, Sediqullah Atal, Karun Nair, Ashutosh Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Sameer Rizvi, T. Natarajan, Darshan Nalkande, Dushmantha Chameera, Ajay Mandal, Manvanth Kumar, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari, Mustafizur Rahman.
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (captain), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Prasidh Krishna, Rahul Tewatia, R Sai Kishore, Washington Sundar, Sherfane Rutherford, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Shahrukh Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat, Manav Suthar, Dasun Shanaka, Karim Janat, Kumar Kushagra, Gerald Coetzee, Arshad Khan, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Kulwant Khejroliya.
Point of View
The clash between Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals highlights the intense competition and unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. With both teams having contrasting journeys so far, the outcome remains uncertain. The Titans are in a strong position, but the Capitals have the potential to disrupt their plans. This match is a testament to the excitement and unpredictability that defines the IPL.
NationPress
14/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the match between Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals?
The match is scheduled for Sunday, May 18 at 7:30 PM IST.
Where can I watch the IPL match live?
You can watch the match live on Star Sports Network and stream it on JioHotstar.
Who are the key players to watch in this match?
Key players include Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler for GT, and KL Rahul, Axar Patel for DC.
What is the current standing of both teams?
Gujarat Titans lead the points table with 16 points, while Delhi Capitals are in fifth place with 13 points.
What challenges do Delhi Capitals face?
DC faces challenges with their batting stability and potential bowling shortages due to player unavailability.
