Tata IPL 2023 GT vs KKR | Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders are preparing to face each other for the 1st time in this Indian Premier League 2023. The GT vs KKR match has been scheduled for 9th April, Sunday. Fans’ excitements are at the top regarding the match, as the last year’s champions are in good form even this year. On the other hand, the Knights are also quite confident with the match.

GT vs KKR Team Preview:

Gujarat Titans:

Gujarat Titan’s skipper Hardik Pandya feels confident leading this game. They have done well in the last two games despite losing star batsman Kane Williamson due to an injury. The side performed well-trimmed against Delhi in the last game, winning by six wickets. They are at the top of the points table now, and Pandya would look to extend this domination by winning this game.

Kolkata Knight Riders:

KKR’s young captain Nitish Rana is confident as his side performed excellently against Bangalore last time, winning by 81 runs. It was the victory the side needed after a series of weak performances in the few previous seasons. They have struggled with dedication in the past, and it will be exciting to witness how the players approach the match.

GT vs KKR Weather & pitch report:

The GT vs KKR match is scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Gujarat’s home ground has a flat surface and a faster outfield. Batters have done well here by rotating the strike. Fast bowlers must keep faith in their variations to pick wickets on this surface. The spin bowlers get a lot from the surface as the ball turns. They will be able too to stop the batters.

The weather forecast says the skies will be clear over Ahmedabad on 9th April, and we expect a warm evening. The wicket is two-paced, and batters who get their eyes set on it can do well. Spinners enjoy the conditions in this field. The side which is going to bat first in this game will be comfortable having 180 runs.

However, we saw chasing big scores here in the previous games. Bowling in the second innings will be difficult as the dew makes the situation tough for the spinners. So, it would be a wise decision to take bowling first.

GT vs KKR Expected playing 11:

Gujarat Titan’s expected to playing 11:

Hardik Pandya (c), Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Rahul Tewatia, Sai Sudharsan, David Miller, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami, Joshua Little, Yash Dayal.

Kolkata Knight Rider’s expected playing 11:

Nitish Rana (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Mandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy

GT vs KKR Key players:

Gujarat Titans:

Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill have good starts, and the team will need a solid performance from them at the top. If we genuinely talk about the key players for GT vs KKR match, Sudharshan is on my tentative list for Gujarat, as he has made 62 runs in 42 balls. Along with him, two more batters are on that list – David Miller and V Shankar, with 193.75 and 126.09 strike rates.

Joshua Little and Mohammad Shami must strike with the new ball, as Knight Riders have big hitters at the top. Hardik will be confident with his good spells in the last 2 games. He will look to continue with the form. Rashid Khan is the key bowler for Gujarat. The team will expect a good show from him. Alzarri Joseph and Yash Dayal must do well in the supporting role.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a solid knock at the top against Bangalore and will look to get a good start along with Venkatesh Iyer. Lord Shardul played a match-winning knock in the last game, making the batting formidable with Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. So, my pickup as a key batter will be Rahmanullah Gurbaz for KKR.

Umesh Yadav and Tim Southee have a lot of experience and must use the new ball well in this game. Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Thakur must prevent the Titans’ batters from scoring quick runs. Now, considering the bowlers, my pick as a key bowler will be none but Varun Chakaravarthy.

GT vs KKR Head-to-Head Record

Matches played: 1

Gujarat Titans won: 1

Kolkata Knight Riders won: 0

Last result: Gujarat Titans won by eight runs (DY Patil, 2022)

Most Runs GT VS KKR Matches in IPL

Most Wickets GT VS KKR Matches in IPL

GT vs KKR Match prediction:

We know that Knight Riders have started their season with a big win, but it must be considered that they have a weaker middle order than Gujarat. That might be an x-factor in the GT vs KKR match. Gujarat will likely be able to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders on their first meeting of this season.

GT vs KKR Fantasy Pick

Keeper – Rahmanullah Gurbaz 

Batsmen – David Miller, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharshan 

All-rounders – Hardik Pandya (c), Andre Russell (vc), Sunil Narine 

Bowlers – Mohammad Shami, Rashid Khan, Shardul Thakur, Alzaari Joseph