IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-Ups to Watch-Out in KKR VS GT Match No.39

Behold as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) engage in a thrilling battle in the 39th match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, where the iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata is set to bear witness to this exciting encounter. The teams have an equal head-to-head record, with each winning one game out of the two matches played between them. KKR emerged victorious by three wickets in the last meeting in Ahmedabad this season.

KKR ended their losing streak in style with a convincing victory against Bangalore, as their batting unit fired in unison, led by Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana, while Jason Roy emerged as a trump card for the low-profile side missing their regular skipper Shreyas Iyer, and despite the inconsistency in their lineup, Suyash Sharma, Varun Chakravarthy, and Sunil Narine are expected to lead KKR’s spin department in the upcoming match against Gujarat Titans.

The Titans enter the upcoming match on the heels of a resounding 55-run victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI), thanks in part to the red-hot form of Shubman Gill, who has amassed an impressive 284 runs in seven games at an average of 40.57. Against MI, Abhinav Manohar rose to the occasion and emerged as the hero for GT, while Rashid Khan has already claimed fourteen wickets in seven matches, with Noor Ahmad proving to be an able complement in the spin department.

Meanwhile, the pace attack has also been effective, with Mohammed Shami leading the way, as the Titans look to maintain their winning momentum against KKR in the upcoming away game.

IPL 2023: Top Player Battles to Keep an Eye on in KKR VS GT Game:

3) Shubman Gill vs Varun Chakaravarthy

In his last game, the young opener scored yet another half-century this season, bringing his total to 284 runs in seven matches with an average of 40.57 and a strike rate of 142.71. Despite his impressive form, Shubman Gill will face a challenge against KKR’s spin wizard Varun Chakaravarthy.

While Gill is the leading scorer for GT, Chakaravarthy has taken the most wickets for the Knight Riders. Gill has struggled against spin bowling in recent games, so it will be intriguing to watch his battle against Chakaravarthy’s mystery deliveries in the afternoon game at Eden Gardens. It’s expected that Chakaravarthy will be brought in early with Gill at the crease.

2) Jason Roy vs Rashid Khan

With an exceptional average of 53.33 and an astonishing strike rate of 170.21, Jason Roy has been the leading run scorer for the Kolkata Knight Riders, having scored half-centuries in his last two matches. However, in the upcoming afternoon game against Gujarat Titans, Roy will be facing a formidable spin attack, led by Rashid Khan, who has been in superb form with 14 wickets in seven games at an average of 16.14, an economy of 8.07, and a strike rate of 12.

The addition of Noor Ahmad has strengthened the spin department of the Titans, allowing them to use Rashid in the powerplay overs. It will be a fascinating battle to watch between Roy’s aggressive batting style and Rashid’s exceptional spin bowling skills.

1) Hardik Pandya vs Suyash Sharma

The recent performances of the GT skipper have been commendable, having scored 128 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 117.43 and picked two wickets with the ball. However, batting higher up the order has not proven to be beneficial for him this season, as his strike rate takes a dip. His struggles against spin bowling might encourage Nitish Rana to bring in his rookie spinner Suyash Sharma.

Although Pandya has faced Chakravarthy and Narine in the past, Sharma’s leg spin will provide a new challenge. Sharma has been a revelation for KKR in his debut season, with nine wickets to his name. This will be a thrilling battle between two passionate cricketers, and only time will tell who emerges victorious.