FANTASY PREVIEW
Follow UsGujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders will lock horns in Match 13 of IPL 2023. The defending champions, Gujarat are continuing from their strong season last year, clinching both their league games so far this season. Kolkata, on the other hand, had a grim start but have found the winning ways with a resounding win over Bangalore in their second game.
Although Gujarat will start as favorites, the rejuvenated Kolkata side will be in the hunt if their spinners wreak havoc again.
Ground details and team combination
The Narendra Modi Stadium has hosted four T20s since 2022 and the batters here have scored runs at an average of 25.3 and a scoring rate of 8.4, while a wicket has fallen every 18.1 deliveries. The seamers here have way better numbers than spinners.
The fast bowlers here have operated an average of 21.4 and a strike rate of 15.7, while the corresponding numbers for spinners are 38.3 and 27.8 respectively. The economy rate has been neck and neck - 8.3 for spinners versus 8.2 for pacers.
12 wickets fell in the season opener of IPL 2023 which was played at this same venue. Only three of these wickets went to spinners.
Suggested Teams
While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captaincy suggestions
For small leagues: Sai Sudharshan (capt), Alzarri Joseph (vice-capt)
For grand leagues: Hardik Pandya (capt), Sunil Narine (vice-capt)
Stats that matter
> Sai Sudharshan has been Gujarat’s best batter in the season thus far. Alongside scoring the most runs, he also has a false-shot percentage of only 12.3, the lowest for a Gujarat batter who has featured in both the games for the franchise.
> Alzarri Joseph has been in breathtaking form with the ball. He has snaffled two wickets each in the first two games for Gujarat. Since 2022, Joseph has 60 wickets in 43 T20s, striking every 15.6 deliveries while maintaining an economy of 7.9. Kolkata batters have shown vulnerability against pace which makes Joseph an excellent fantasy prospect.
> David Miller has a mediocre record against Kolkata. In 13 matches, he averages 27.8 against Kolkata at a strike-rate of 125.6 with only one fifty.
> Kolkata skipper Nitish Rana averages only 12.5 after two games this season.
Grand League Punts
> Wriddhiman Saha has performed his role of an aggressor at the top to perfection so far but from the fantasy scheme of things, he has scored only 39 runs off 23 balls. In addition, his false shot percentage has been as high as 47.3%. Having said that, if he fires, he can give you an early lead which makes him a great left-field pick.
> Andre Russell has showcased indifferent form this season. After 35 against Punjab, he fell for a first ball duck against Bangalore, failing to clear the boundary on both occasions. Also, he hasn’t bowled at all. Yet, he can be the differentiator if he finds his form.
> Much like Russell, Hardik Pandya is also yet to fire as an all-rounder. He hasn’t picked a wicket and has scores of only 8 & 5. But again, count him out at your own peril. Unlike Russell, he will be plying his trade with both bat and ball, that too at fruitful positions.
Here are the Top 10 Criclytics Projections
Probable XIs
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sai Sudharshan, Hardik Pandya ( c ), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami, Yash Dayal
Kolkata Knight Riders: Venkatesh Iyer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Narayan Jagadeesan, Nitish Rana ( c ), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee, Varun Chakaravarthy
