Fantasy: Buttler, Gill are your go-to batters

Gujarat Titans will take on Rajasthan Royals in Match 23 of the Indian Premier League 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday (April 15). Last year’s finalists have started their season with a bang, with both having won three of their four encounters.

Ground details

The Narendra Modi Stadium has hosted two encounters so far this season and the batters here have scored runs at an average of 33.5 and a scoring rate of 9.7, while a wicket has fallen every 20.7 deliveries. In the bowling department, the spinners (average 21.8, SR 15.6, economy 8.4) have better numbers than seamers (average 41.1, SR 24.6, economy 10). 

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

Small Leagues: Jos Buttler (capt), Shubman Gill (vice-capt)

Grand Leagues: Rashid Khan (capt), Hardik Pandya (vice-capt)

Stats that matter

1067 runs at an average of 56.16 and a strike rate of 152.7 - Jos Buttler has been in phenomenal form in the IPL since 2022. In three innings against GT, Buttler has slammed 182 runs at a strike rate of 158.3. This season as well, Buttler has three fifties in four innings.

Shubman Gill loves playing in Ahmedabad. With an average of 81.25 and a strike rate of 148.4 in T20s and an average of 51.33 in first-class cricket, Gill enjoys batting here. In the last game against Punjab Kings, Gill hit 67 off 49 deliveries.

Grand League punts

Rashid Khan has scalped six wickets against RR at an economy of 6.8 and a strike rate of 12. What’s more? Well, Buttler has an average of just 12.5 against him, while Shimron Hetmyer too has gotten out to him four times. 

Hardik Pandya against Rajasthan Royals is a different beast altogether. 347 runs in 10 innings at an average of 86.75 and a strike rate of 170.1, those are some insane numbers. He also has nine wickets against them a strike rate of 13.8. 

Predicted XIs

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

Rajasthan - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, R Ashwin, Jason Holder, Kuldeep Sen, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa/Trent Boult.