When Gujarat Titans last faced Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, it resulted in a match that will be remembered as one of the greatest in IPL history. In an electrifying encounter marred by rain, CSK emerged victorious in the IPL 2023 final, securing their fifth title in a nail-biting last-over showdown.
Since that memorable final, a lot has changed. With alterations in leadership, their fortunes have taken a different trajectory.
CSK, the reigning champions, are grappling with a mid-table battle, clinging to fourth place in the Playoffs race by a thin margin. Their campaign has been marked by inconsistency, evident in their alternating pattern of wins and losses in the last four matches. Moreover, they are grappling with a plethora of injuries and absences, particularly affecting their bowling department.
On the other hand, GT find themselves at the bottom of the table, having secured only four wins out of eleven games so far. The upcoming match against CSK holds immense significance for them. It’s a do-or-die game as they aim to turn their fortunes around.
The departure of Hardik Pandya to the Mumbai Indians has created a significant void in the GT side, affecting their performance in batting, bowling, and leadership. With just one win in their last five matches, the team is struggling. The absence of injured Mohammed Shami has weakened their bowling attack, while the burden of captaincy has weighed heavily on the shoulders of talented opener Shubman Gill.
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Gill’s recent form reflects his team’s struggles. After an impressive start to the season, where he averaged 51 and struck at 152 in the first six games, his numbers have plummeted to an average of 13.4 and a strike rate of 102 in the subsequent five matches. He has been dismissed for single-digit scores on four occasions and has only managed to surpass the 50-run mark twice.
The team’s overall performance has impacted Gill’s confidence and form. Last year, he was the leading run-scorer at this stage of the tournament, but now he doesn’t even feature in the top 10. The Titans’ batting lineup has failed to deliver consistently, putting additional pressure on Gill to perform. In the first phase of the season, his leadership drew praise from numerous experts, particularly for his strategies against Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. However, he is yet to discover the winning formula. GT has experimented with 22 players, which is tied for the highest number in the season, but they have struggled to find a winning combination.
The team’s success appears to hinge greatly on Gill’s ability to score runs at the top of the order and David Miller’s presence to finish the innings. Unfortunately, neither of these elements has fallen into place this season. Rashid Khan’s dip in form has further compounded the team’s woes, contributing to their poor results.
Gill’s struggle with the bat not only affects GT but also raises concerns for the Indian team. As the only backup opener in the World Cup squad, his lack of runs and confidence is worrying. With a major tournament, the ICCT20 World Cup on the horizon, Gill needs to rediscover his form quickly. All eyes will be on him as GT aims to challenge CSK at a venue where they have a strong track record.