Gearing up for Match No. 12 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Gujarat Titans (GT) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are poised to clash at the magnificent Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 31st.

Heinrich Klaasen & David Miller, Image Credits- GT Twitter

GT vs SRH: Match Preview

Both teams enter the contest with two points apiece from their initial encounters in the tournament. Gujarat Titans, last year’s runner-up, commenced their campaign with a thrilling six-run victory over Mumbai Indians, led by their new captain Shubman Gill. However, they faced a setback in their subsequent match against Chennai Super Kings, suffering a hefty 63-run defeat.

On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad began their IPL journey with a narrow four-run loss against Kolkata Knight Riders before rebounding impressively with a dominant 31-run victory over Mumbai Indians in their second outing.

As the two teams prepare to square off, Sunrisers Hyderabad will be buoyed by their formidable batting display in the previous match, setting a record IPL team total. With a lineup boasting exciting foreign talent complemented by promising domestic players, they aim to maintain their momentum. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans will look to their skipper and key players like David Miller and Vijay Shankar to deliver a solid performance.

GT vs SRH: Pitch Report & Conditions

The Narendra Modi Stadium typically offers a batsman-friendly track with something in it for both pacers and spinners. Spinners can exploit the long square boundaries effectively. The average first-innings score at this venue since 2021 stands at 188. In the last match played here, Gujarat Titans successfully defended a total of 168 runs.

Wriddhiman Saha, Image Credits- GT Twitter

Weather-wise, a hot afternoon is expected with temperatures peaking at 35 degrees Celsius during the toss. Given the nature of the pitch, opting to bowl first could prove advantageous, especially considering the potential slow start. Additionally, the absence of dew, characteristic of afternoon clashes, eliminates that factor from the equation, adding another strategic dimension to the contest.

GT vs SRH: Head-to-head

In their head-to-head encounters, Gujarat Titans have emerged victorious in two out of the three matches played against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The first match between these teams took place on April 11, 2022, with Gujarat Titans securing the win. Their most recent encounter was on May 15, 2023. So far, Sunrisers Hyderabad has managed to clinch one victory against Gujarat Titans. There have been no instances of matches ending in no results.

GT vs SRH: Team News and Impact Player Strategy

Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans are likely to stick to their usual pattern of impact substitutions, with fast bowler Mohit Sharma and left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan anticipated to swap places. Additionally, Matthew Wade, who missed the first two games due to his involvement in the Sheffield Shield final, is available for selection. In the middle order, Shahrukh Khan or Abhinav Manohar could be considered as viable options.

Probable XII for Gujarat Titans:

Shubman Gill (capt)
Wriddhiman Saha (wk)
Sai Sudharsan
Vijay Shankar
David Miller
Azmatullah Omarzai
Rahul Tewatia
Rashid Khan
R Sai Kishore
Spencer Johnson
Umesh Yadav
Mohit Sharma

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad might face uncertainties regarding the availability of T Natarajan, who missed their second game due to an unspecified niggle. His presence in the XI remains uncertain. In his absence, Jaydev Unadkat, his replacement in the previous match against Mumbai Indians, showcased impressive variations and could retain his spot in the lineup. Additionally, Wanindu Hasaranga’s arrival in India is still pending.

Regarding Impact Player options, if Sunrisers opt to bowl first, they could consider starting with medium-pacer Nitish Reddy or fast bowler Umran Malik, with Travis Head serving as a replacement in the second innings. Another viable option could be Washington Sundar, particularly against the left-hand dominant Gujarat Titans lineup.

Aiden Markram, Image Credits- GT Twitter

Probable XII for Sunrisers Hyderabad:

Mayank Agarwal
Travis Head
Abhishek Sharma
Aiden Markram
Heinrich Klaasen (wk)
Abdul Samad
Shahbaz Ahmed
Pat Cummins (capt)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Mayank Markande
Jaydev Unadkat / T Natarajan
Umran Malik

GT vs SRH: Match Prediction

Scenario 1:

If Gujarat Titans win the toss and choose to bowl first, with a Power Play score ranging between 50-60 and a first innings total of 180-190, Sunrisers Hyderabad are likely to emerge victorious.

Scenario 2:

In the event that Sunrisers Hyderabad win the toss and elect to bowl first, with a Power Play score between 45-55 and a first innings total of 160-170, Sunrisers Hyderabad are expected to win the match.