Atreyo Mukhopadhyay
Defending champions versus the aspiring ones is always going to be an exciting match. On paper, there is very little to choose between the teams, we all know that. The IPL is such a competition which more often pits two evenly-balanced sides against each other, every evening. This should not be any different. Yes, there will be performances and under performances, but until these have happened, nobody can say which side it is going to tilt. This is a stage where there are no favourites and underdogs, to use the cliché. On a given day, anything can happen and everything will happen. Fasten seat belts, going back to a cliché again, and expect the unexpected.
Pace pack of Gujarat
Let us come to Gujarat Giants first. They are an extremely well-balanced side in terms of bowling. There is pace, spin and deception. One can say that this team is a little short when it comes to spin resources. Yes, but when one takes into account the pace factor, they are a formidable unit. Mohammad Shami delivering the ball at that pace and with that kind of a seam presentation is a fearsome force. Add Alzarri Jospeh to that mix. This is serious stuff. When hurled at speed, a cricket ball can be terrifying object and this team has a lot of bowlers who can do that, even Hardik Pandya. Gujarat have a great attack and that’s what wins you tournaments.
Gujarat’s batting? Let’s see
When it comes to batting, well, let us say that they are going to be tested. Yes, they chased down 178 against CSK in the first match. It was commendable, taking into account the moments of worry and all that when it seemed that it might have gone in favour of the other team. And that is an area they will have to do better at. I am not sure if Wriddhiman Saha will blast the ball out of the park in every match. I also think that Sai Sudarshan is an untested commodity at this level. You have too many eggs put in the basket of Shubhman Gill and Hardik Pandya. There are utility hitters down the order, but a team has to have batters who will play those big knocks. Does this team have them? Well, if it has. Time will tell.
Delhi batting has explosive potential
Let’s come to Delhi’s batting. It’s a fascinating and explosive line-up to be true. They could not survive the pace of Mark Wood in the first match, but there is a lot of firepower in their ranks in the form of Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Sarfaraz Khan, Rilee Rossouw and Rovman Powell. Do not forget Axar Patel. This is a batting order that will cause major headaches for the bowlers of the other side. They can blast them out of the park on their day and there day will come. Pitches for IPL games are usually made for batters and there are a lot of them in the Delhi roster. If they get their act right, expect carnage. And it will cause serious damage. If you are a Delhi or neutral fan, get ready for some entertainment.
Well, an all-Indian attack
If you look at Delhi’s bowling, there is a lot of depth there as well, although you do not see an overseas recruit there. Two left-arm quick bowlers in Khaleel Ahmed and Chetan Sakariya, a left-arm spinner in Axar Patel and a left-arm unorthodox chap called Kuldeep Yadav, that is some variation. I do not think many other teams can afford to go in with an all-Indian attack. But, and that is a crucial but, they did not quite deliver in the first match. Yes, fielding and catching let them down against Lucknow Super Giants in the first match. But there is some potential in this bowling pack. They can deliver and the team management will certainly believe that there day/days will come. Until then.