GT vs DC HIGHLIGHTS, IPL 2024: Delhi crush Gujarat by six wickets as bowlers dominate in Ahmedabad

Lots of things to be pleased about. We spoke about a champion mindset and our team spoke about it. Definitely one of the best (bowling effort of the season). Still early in the tournament and we can still improve from here. The only thought process before coming to the field is that I wanted to come in in a better way. Only thought when I was doing my rehab. Each and every match I am loving the process and being on the ground. (Chasing 90) The only conversation was to get it as early as possible because we lost few NRR points in some other games where we lost. I think we just want to enjoy one win at a time. They are hard to come by but you have to enjoy each and every moment.

Prithvi Shaw wanted to pound the ball with a horizontal bat but it came at him faster than he thought and had him in all sorts of trouble. The bouncer was delivered by fast bowler Sandeep Warrier, making his Gujarat Titans debut. The ball was well directed — zoning in and climbing at a good pace toward Shaw's head. Shaw paid the price for zero foot movement and no transfer of weight. If he had gone back, he would have been in a better position to handle the bouncer. But Shaw is all hand-eye-coordination — a method that works well in the IPL. Except that a surprise ball can create issues. Shaw's other option was to duck out of the way. Instead, he first looked like he was lining up for the pull but at the last moment was forced to fend off the ball awkwardly. The ball ballooned in the air and Spencer Johnson took an easy catch at short third man. Warrier saw the second ball he delivered hit for a six over his head by Delhi Capitals opener Jake Fraser-McGurk. But he redeemed himself with the short ball to Shaw. A saving grace on a forgettable day for his team.

Trying to get off to a nice start, try and get the NRR to our favour. When you're riding this wave (of form), you have to try and do it for a long time, cricket is a funny game. We got the better of the conditions, dew came in, the ball skidded on and made batting easier (in the second innings). I didn't play a lot of spin as well. It's pretty surreal, you have to pinch yourself to have played along with him (on Ricky Ponting), I remember in his last Test, Nathan Lyon coming on and talking about it. We have now got the confidence going, started slowly and lost a few matches, but we now have a hang on our own game, I didn't need a second invitation to get going (on being aggressive), that was my natural game.

Our batting was very average, and it is important to move on and come back strong. The wicket was alright, if you see some of the dismissals, it had nothing to do with the pitch. Poor shot selection I would say. When the opposition are chasing 89, unless someone takes a double hat-trick, the opposition will always be in the game. This is just the halfway mark of the season for us, we have won 3 and hopefully we win another 5-6 from the next 7 like in the last couple of years.

Sumit lines one up for a big stroke but Noor cramps him up for room, dot ball. Short and wide and Sumit whacks it through cover for FOUR. He goes for a big swing across the line for the win but misses out as Noor drifts it away. A quicker one to follow and Sumit fails to connect. Inside-edge down leg and it rushes for four - DC beat GT by six wickets in only 8.5 overs!

Rashid skids one on and Pant mistimes the flick for a single in front of square. Sumit follows up with one run. In the slot and Pant steps out and miscues a slog but still clears the long-off fence. In the air and Pant survives as he top-edges a sweep down towards fine leg with no fielder closing in on the ball.

Noor Ahmad replaces Warrier. 

Noor starts with a slide to Pant who misses out on a slog-sweep. Ahmad offers room and Pant swipes it over mid-off for FOUR. Another tossed-up delivery outside off and Pant sweeps the ball to square-leg for one run.

Rashid Khan into the attack

Hope starts with a single, putting Rishabh Pant on strike. Pant's off the blocks with a flick to deep square for one run. Rashid to Hope, OUT! Googly on length and Hope attempts a reverse-sweep but lobs it straight to Mohit at short third.

Shai Hope c Sharma b Rashid Khan 19 (10b 1x4 2x6)

How good Rishabh Pant has been with the gloves has been overlooked a bit since his comeback. His batting has been in focus but behind the stumps, Pant has been pretty smooth. Another example of his agility and anticipation was witnessed when Pant coolly dived to his left to catch a dipping ball that resulted in the dismissal of the dangerous David Miller. Ishant Sharma was bowling around the wicket to the left-handed Miller and he got the ball to angle in. Miller closed the face of his bat hoping to steer the ball to the leg side. Credit to Pant that he didn't move even though he would have lost sight of the incoming ball to Miller. From going one way, the ball suddenly went the other way after taking an edge. Pant made it look easier than it seemed because he didn't lose his balance and was ready to move as the ball hurtled away from him. There was an appeal but the umpire didn't give it which resulted in Pant using a review. The Ultraedge only confirmed what Pant was sure of. He also effected two stumpings. Quick hands and great glove work.

Warrier slides one in and Hope nonchalantly flicks it through mid-wicket for FOUR. Short ball but Hope shimmies down and wallops it over long-on for SIX! Shot! Warrier tails the ball in again and Hope flicks it nicely over square-leg for SIX! A single to follow. Warrier offers a short ball and Porel gracefully swivels to flay the ball over square for SIX more! Warrier to Porel, OUT! Cleans him up this time but all a little too later. Warrier slides one fuller and across and the ball rushes to clip the off-stump.

Abishek Porel b Sandeep Warrier 15 (7b 2x4 1x6)

Johnson rushes one in and hits Porel in the groin. He is wincing in pain as he moves away from the pitch. He's back up and ready and Johnson follows up with another short ball outside off, rushing it to the keeper. Johnson offers length and Porel leans into a superb punch off the backfoot through point for FOUR. FOUR more from Porel as he swivel-pulls in another short ball that moves in.

Warrier tails one in to hit Shaw's pad. Stifled appeal and the umpire turns him down. He reckons the ball is sliding down leg but Gill reviews. Wickets missing on replay and Shaw has another reprieve. Fraction short this time and Shaw slaps the ball across the line for FOUR through mid-wicket. Warrier overpitches and Shaw smites it down the ground. Gill and Mohit team-up to deny a boundary. Warrier to Shaw, out! Bounced him out! A well-directed bumper gets Shaw completely off-guard. He attempts to duck but ends up scooping the ball to short third. Shai Hope is in at 4. Warrier cuts him in half with a superb inswinger that nearly hits top of off!

Prithvi Shaw c Johnson b Sandeep Warrier 7 (6b 1x4)

Spencer Johnson into the attack

He starts with a wide down leg to Jake. Length from Johnson and Jake clears his front leg and wallops the ball over cover for SIX! Johnson cranks it up with another bumper. Jake makes room but fails to put bat on ball. A touch fuller from Johnson and Jake shuffles across to ramp but misses it as the ball whizzes past the leg-stump. Another short ball and Jake makes room and toes it down to third for FOUR more. Johnson to Jake, OUT! Straight to mid-wicket. He attempts to create room but Johnson cramps him up with a late change in line. Jake ends up chipping straight to the fielder and an exhilarating knock comes to an end.

Jake Fraser-McGurk c Manohar b Johnson 20 (10b 2x4 2x6) 

Prithvi Shaw and Fraser-McGurk open the chase. A slip in place. Hint of room and Shaw slices the first ball down to third for a single. A hint of shape away from length but Fraser-McGurk stomps it down the ground for SIX first ball! Warrier overpitches and Jake drills it down the ground for FOUR.  A leg-bye single to follow. Warrier angles the ball in and hits Shaw as he shuffles across to flick. Gill, after much deliberation, opts for a review. Umpire's call on wickets and Shaw survives.

Tristan Stubbs: "So cool to get wickets like that. The boys bowled beautifully. Our spinners are just world-class. I was just trying to hit the wicket - and then whatever happens, happens. I have been bowling to Rishabh in the nets. I got a bit of fright (when Pant asked me to bowl). We've watched enough IPL - there's always a twist. I think that extra player in the batting line-up allows that (to play with freedom)."

Mukesh to Rashid, OUT! Outside edge and taken by Pant. A short ball outside off and Rashid throws his blade at it but feathers it to the keeper. Decent hand from the all-rounder as he shows a semblance of a fightback. Spencer Johnson is in at 11. He's off the mark with a single through cover. Mukesh to Noor, OUT! Cleaned him up and DC bowl GT out for 89! A cracking job from all the bowlers put Delhi on top.

Rashid Khan c Pant b Mukesh Kumar 31 (24b 2x4 1x6); Noor Ahmad b Mukesh Kumar 1 (7b)

Kuldeep tosses one outside off and Rashid pumps the ball over wide long-off for SIX! A single follows and Rashid holds strike for the next over.

Axar skims through another spotless over. There's not much that Rashid is able to do at the moment. Just three from it.

Khaleel returns

He starts with a slower ball on length and Rashid guides it to deep long-off for a run. Mohit reels in a single and Rashid makes room to slap through off-side but fails to clear the deep cover fielder. Khaleel to Mohit, OUT! In the air and straight to deep point. Sumit Kumar completes a safe catch and GT are eight down now.

Mohit Sharma c Sumit Kumar b Ahmed 4 (14b)

The boundaries have dried up. Rashid has swiftly moved up to 20 on the back of ones and twos. Axar cramps up Mohit, leaving no room to earn a run. Four consecutive dots and only four from the over.

Kuldeep squares up Mohit with a delivery that drifts in and straightens from around the stumps. A slide to follow and Mohit gets some wood on the ball to deny a leg-before. Three from the over.

Axar to Tewatia, loud shout and given! Axar slides one in from length and keeps it straight as Tewatia attempts to paddle the ball but misses. The ball his him fairly straight on the kneeroll and the umpire raises his finger. Tewatia reviews. OUT! Umpire's call on wickets and Tewatia departs! Mohit Sharma walks in at 9. A couple of singles to follow. Two slips in place for Mohit. Axar wafts one in and Mohit deadbats it onto the pitch.

Rahul Tewatia lbw b Patel 10 (15b 1x4)

Kuldeep slides one in and it cuts past Tewatia's under-edge to Pant.  A single to follow. Tewatia and Rashid nudge through the gaps for a slew of singles

Axar Patel into the attack

A couple of singles to start the over. Slightly shorter from Axar and Rashid rocks back to cut the ball past first slip for FOUR. A quick first over from Axar, seven from it.

Tristan Stubbs replaces Mukesh

Stubbs offers a full toss first-up and Manohar pumps it down the ground for FOUR. Stubbs comes around the stumps and he darts it in flatter as Manohar attempts to advance. He beats the ball and Pant flicks the bails quickly and there's an appeal for a stumping. OUT, says the TV umpire as Manohar fails to drag his backfoot back in time to the crease. Shahrukh Khan is in at 7 as Impact Sub, replacing Sudharsan. Is that OUT as well? Stubbs lands on length and turns it down leg as Sharukh briefly loses his shape while attamping to work the ball to the on-side. Another nimble collection and glovework from Pant has him flick the bails in a flash. The TV umpire has some trouble to decipher if it was the gloves or the ball that broke the stumps but it's deemed to be good enough. Shahrukh falls for a duck! Rashid Khan is in at 8. He cuts the first ball through point for FOUR and follows up with two runs. 

Abhinav Manohar st Pant b Stubbs 8 (14b 1x4); M Shahrukh Khan st †Pant b Stubbs 0 (1b)

Kuldeep Yadav into the attack

He lands one on length and Tewatia flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. Abhinav follows suit. Kuldeep continues to maintain slower speeds and Pant if egging on his bowler to dish out some attacking deliveries. A corker from Kuldeep as he turns one sharply past Tewatia's hanging blade from a fuller length. 

Mukesh starts with a wide and follows up with an overstepping no-ball. Tewatia flays the free hit through extra cover for FOUR. Mukesh regains his lines and cramps up Abhinav who is on nought after facing eight deliveries. He's finally off the blocks with a single down to deep mid-wicket.

Khaleel is into the attack

Khaleel slides one in and Manohar nudges it fine and the ball just falls short of Pant. A superb over from Khaleel as he constricts Manohar with a slew of variations. He follows up with a yorker and Manohar digs it out to point. Beaten! Khaleel goes full and Manohar aims for a tentative drive but misses. A maiden over to end the PowerPlay!

Change of ends for Ishant

Ishant to Sudharsan, OUT! Run out at the non-striker's! Sudharsan squeezes an incoming delivery towards mid-on and a quick pick-up and throw from Sumit hits the stumps with the batter well short of the crease. Huge blow for the Titans as they lose three within the first five overs. Abhinav Manohar is in at 5. Ishant cramps up Miller with a couple of nip-backers. What a catch from Pant! Is there an inside-edge there? Ishant cuts one in sharply and the ball rushes pas tthe inside-half of Miller's bat before a deflection has Pant diving neatly to his right for a one-handed scorcher. DC review for the catch after the on-field umpire denies a wicket. Miller's on his way back as a spike flashes onthe UltraEdge. The Titans are in disarray!

Sai Sudharsan run out (Sumit Kumar) 12 (9b 2x4); Miller c Pant b Ishant 2(6b)

Mukesh Kumar replaces Ishant. Saha attempts another heave off length but the ball thuds into the pad as he reels in a leg-bye. Mukesh tosses a slower-ball in and Sudharsan checks his chip that runs down the ground for two runs. Mukesh oversteps and condeces a free hit. He gets it in the blockhole and Sudharsan only finds a single. Mukesh to Saha, OUT! Dragged on. A gentle away-shaping delivery on length outside-off and Saha gets a thick inside-edge back onto the stumps. He never looked like having his eye in and walks back after a sluggish knock. David Miller is in at 4. 

Wriddhiman Saha b Mukesh Kumar 2 (10b)

Khaleel squares up Saha who gets away with a leading-edge towards point for one run. A couple of singles to follow. Khaleel keeps it full and straight, forcing Sudharsan to nudge the ball watchfully off the strip. Back of a length from Khaleel and a subtle push from Sudharsan beats short cover and races away for FOUR runs. Khaleel overpitches and this time Sudharsan leans into a cracking cover drive for FOUR.

Ishant Sharma from the opposite end

Ishant slants one in and Saha works it through the leg-side for one run. Ishan goes fuller and Gill drives the ball straight to mid-off. Ishant drops short and Gill gives a charge for a slash but misses. In the air and through cover. Gill taps another length ball through cover for FOUR as the ball lobs up dangerously. Ishant to Gill, OUT! Gone this time. Ishant pitches up this time and Gill drives the ball straight to Prithvi Shaw at cover. Sai Sudharsan is in at 3.

Shubman Gill c Shaw b Sharma 8 (6b 2x4)

Khaleel to open the attack. Saha is on strike with two slips in place. Khaleel starts with a huge wide across the turf. A sharp nip-backer from Khaleel hits the length and shapes just past Saha's outside-edge. Excellent comeback by Khaleel as he draws three dots. Khaleel comes around the stumps and hits the pads as Saha sneaks a single. Khaleel overpitches and Gill flicks the ball elegantly with a nimble shuffle through mid-wicket for FOUR first ball!

Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha walk out to the middle. Khaleel Ahmed takes the new ball.

Delhi Capitals XI: Prithvi Shaw, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tristan Stubbs, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant(wk/c), Axar Patel, Sumit Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed.

Gujarat Titans XI: Shubman Gill(c), Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Sai Sudharsan, Abhinav Manohar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, Sandeep Warrier

TOSS: Delhi Capitals win toss, opt to bowl

Pant: We'll bowl first. It's an unknown wicket, our batting is strong and we would want to chase, there could be some dew in the second innings as well. We'll have to play good cricket, just taking one match at a time. Death bowling has been a little concern, but at the same time, the bowlers are getting better with every match. We're looking at gaining some momentum. We're playing almost the same team - David Warner is sitting out, Sumit Kumar is back.

Shubman Gill: We would have bowled first as well, looks like a good wicket, last night there was no dew, hopefully it'll stay the same today. We have been playing some good cricket even in the matches that we lost, just couldn't nail the big moments. Magnificent stadium, we'll get some excellent support. Three changes for us. Saha is back, so is Miller and Warrier makes his debut for us, he replaces Umesh Yadav.

Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant walk out to the middle for the toss.

All the upcoming matches are important. Even if you're in the 6th or 7th position, all it needs is to win a couple of games and you're back in contention. We'll need to play well, win matches and go up in the table. We're enjoying playing under Shubman Gill, he's young and he's leading from the front. He opens the innings and gets runs, he has shown plenty of confidence in everyone and has the calmness that's most important for a captain. It is important to perform well in every game, even a small bit in helping the team win is crucial (as a player), just win those crucial moments as a team. As a spinner, I focus on hitting the right lengths, make the batters keep guessing. You just have to use your skills and talent and bowl in the right areas.

GT predicted XI: Shubman Gill (C), Matthew Wade (WK), Sai Sudharsan, David Miller, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Abhinav Manohar, Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore, Umesh Yadav, Spencer Johnson

Impact sub: Shahrukh Khan

DC predicted XI: David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Rishabh Pant (C&WK), Shai Hope, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma

Impact Sub: Abishek Porel

"I know a few players in the Gujarat team, so looking forward to going head-to-head with them. Just to get the win and get ourselves back is the main thing. To have some personal success is good. (Ponting has advised) just to not swing too hard. (Pant had) some very Australian sort of things to say (the other day). I got the face smacked in the cake [on my birthday]! Just learnt (about) different conditions in India - it's hot here!"

Daren Ganga and Simon Katich analyse: The square boundaries are 61m and 72m long, while the straight boundary is at 75m. We're playing on pitch 4 for the first time this season, it's a 100% black soil pitch. It doesn't have a lot of grass, but it should still be a very good batting pitch with no real turn for the spinners. At 41 degrees, it's a very warm day and dew could be a factor. That could play a role in what the toss winning captain decides.

Innings: 15; Runs: 825; Average: 68.75, Strike Rate: 159.26, 100: 2, 50: 4

Matches played: 3, GT won: 2, DC won: 1

GT predicted XI vs DC: Shubman Gill (C), Matthew Wade (WK), Sai Sudharsan, David Miller, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Abhinav Manohar, Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore, Umesh Yadav, Spencer Johnson

Impact sub: Shahrukh Khan

DC predicted XI vs GT:David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Rishabh Pant (C&WK), Shai Hope, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma

Impact Sub: Abishek Porel

Going into the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia Dinesh Karthik was assigned the finisher role and the batting line-up was built accordingly. However, there is still a question mark on who will be the player who will get the team over the line under pressure situations in the upcoming world cup in the Caribbean and US.

While there are a few names that pop out immediately, their IPL franchises are playing in the middle order or top order which does not expose them to high-intensity music during the final over the innings.

Assuming India would not want to go back to Karthik at this stage of his career The Indian Express looks at the other possible contenders. READ MORE

Pant batting vs Rashid 

Innings: 10, Runs: 87, SR: 114.47, Ave: 43.50, Dismissals: 2

Hardik Pandya’s comeback to the Indian team for the T20 world cup might well depend on how well and how often he bowls in the remainder of the IPL. In a meeting between India head coach Rahul Dravid, chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai last week, it’s understood that a decision was taken that Hardik has to bowl regularly if he wants to make a comeback. The Indian Express understands that the major part of the discussion in the two-hour meeting was about the seam bowling all-rounder which the team is looking for in the USA and West Indies, which will host the world cup. READ MORE

HOW MUCH does an Indian Premier League (IPL) ticket cost? Rs 52,938, in case you are making a last-minute booking for the best seat in the house for Royal Challengers Bangalore’s opening home game. It could be as less as Rs 499 if you are among the early birds eyeing the cheapest ticket for a Lucknow Super Giants tie. Aware of the heavy ticket demand for key contests featuring top stars, IPL franchise owners are adopting surge pricing and dynamic-rates strategies to maximise their gate collection. READ MORE

Rajasthan Royals spinner Yuzvendra Chahal extended his lead at the top of the wicket-taking charts with one scalp in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday. READ MORE

Gujarat Titans WLLWL
Delhi Capitals WLLWL

KKR all-rounder Sunil Narine bolted into the top five of the leading run-scorers of the IPL 2024 season after smashing his maiden T20 century against Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday. Full List

Captain Shubman Gill has played a couple of sublime innings so far in the tournament and he has a commendable record at the Narendra Modi Stadium. With contributions at the top order, few and far in between, the responsibility lies with the skipper to play an innings of substance and set the platform for the finishers.

David Warner so far has had an ordinary campaign by his standards. Apart from a half-century earlier in the season against Rajasthan Royals, the southpaw has not made contributions to speak of. Though it is unthinkable that they would look the other way but the nature of the tournament combined with only four overseas in the side means that he delivers a performance sooner rather than later.

The temperatures are on higher side in Ahmedabad today according to Accuweather.com. Maximum temperature is around 42 degree centigrade and temperature at night falls to around 29. There is no chance of rainfall for the day.

If Jos Buttler is out in the middle, don’t write off Rajasthan Royals during a chase.

Buttler notched up his second century of this edition of the IPL and grabbed the headlines from Sunil Narine, just as he had done against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Virat Kohli in the first week of April. Kohli’s unbeaten century was countered by Buttler’s. Tonight Narine’s ton went in vain as Buttler remained unconquered on 107. READ MORE

The pitch at the Narendra Modi usually tends to be either slow or good for batting. However, irrespective of how it tends to play in the first innings because of the dew which forms in second innings batting tends to get lot easier. Hence keeping that in mind captain winning the toss might look to chase the total.

Delhi Capitals Squad: Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Tristan Stubbs, Shai Hope, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Abishek Porel, Jhye Richardson, Kumar Kushagra, Sumit Kumar, Praveen Dubey, Lalit Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Yash Dhull, Mitchell Marsh, Lizaad Williams, Ricky Bhui, Rasikh Dar Salam, Vicky Ostwal, Swastik Chikara

Gujarat Titans Squad: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Matthew Wade(w), Abhinav Manohar, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Umesh Yadav, Spencer Johnson, Mohit Sharma, Sharath BR, Darshan Nalkande, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Manav Suthar, Kane Williamson, Jayant Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha, David Miller, Sandeep Warrier, Joshua Little, Kartik Tyagi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sushant Mishra

Hello and welcome to our live blog of the game between Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals. Both sides win while it may not be a knock it might decide the direction of the campaigns each side will go on depending on the result tonight. It is going to be a cracking contest stay with us for all the analysis and lovely pieces from our writers.