GT vs LSG: Looking to consolidate top spot, Gujarat Titans take on Lucknow Super Giants | Cricket News – Times of India

AHMEDABAD: Questioned about his intent, or lack of it, during the 59-run unbeaten knock against Delhi Capitals here last Tuesday, Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya replied with a captain’s performance (1/22 and 39 runs off 15 balls) against the Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur on Friday.
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On Sunday, Pandya’s Titans team will take the field again, looking to consolidate their hold on the top position, against Lucknow Super Giants, led by none other than Hardik’s elder brother Krunal Pandya.
With KL Rahul injured, the onus will be on the elder Pandya to galvanize his team following a narrow loss against RCB and a no-result against CSK.

Against the Royals, it was the Afghan spin duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad who shared five wickets between them and wrecked the middle-order. The duo, along with pacers Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya, make up a potent bowling line-up.
Former India pacer Mohit Sharma has been consistent in the middle and death overs. Leggie Khan has picked up 34 wickets in the middle overs (7-15 overs) since IPL 2021, the most for any bowler in this time period.
The batting clicked with openers Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill registering their first 50-run association for the season against the Royals while the middle order — comprising Vijay Shankar, Abhinav Manohar, David Miller and Rahul Tewatia — has lived up to expectations so far.

Stung by Rahul’s departure, LSG will look to hard-hitting West Indian opener Kyle Mayers for brisk starts. After the initial few matches, Mayers has flattered to deceive.
Along with the elder Pandya, the likes of Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni and Deepak Hooda will have to shoulder more responsibility in the middle-order.
With Jaydev Unadkat too ruled out with injury, the bowling department suddenly looks short. Afghan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, leg spinners Amit Mishra and Ravi Bishnoi and Stoinis and Krunal Pandya will have to share the bowling workload.

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Ireland pacer Little takes IPL break
Ireland pacer Josh Little will miss the next few Indian Premier League matches for defending champions Gujarat Titans after flying home for national duty, the defending champions said on Saturday.
Little, 23, has been named in Ireland’s squad for the three-match one-day international series against Bangladesh, starting in Chelmsford on May 9.
Watch IPL: Hardik’s Gujarat Titans to take on Krunal-led Lucknow Super Giants