IPL 2023: 3 Players Who Will Be Crucial for Gujarat Titans to Win LSG vs GT Match No. 30

IPL 2023: The defending champion Gujarat Titans started the 16th edition with two consecutive wins over CSK and DC. But then, they have now lost two of their last three games, which can be a wake-up call for Hardik Pandya and his men. They lost to KKR and RR, and both games went to the wire. As a result, GT is sitting in fourth place on the points table with an NRR of +0.192.

However, the tournament is heading to the second half, which will make this more interesting. GT will now lock horns with the Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday at Ekana Stadium in the afternoon game. With four wins out of six, LSG is looking good, and it will not be easy to beat them at home. Thus, GT needs to rethink its plan and look to execute it. Here, we will talk about three important GT players in LSG vs GT Match No. 30.

IPL 2023: 3 Key Players for Gujarat Titans in LSG vs GT Match No. 30

3. Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan is among the biggest match-winners in the ongoing tournament and can win the game with a few good deliveries. He is also among the highest wicket-takers in the tournament. The biggest positive of having Rashid on the team is that he is among the limited players who can make a big impact in the game.

Rashid has already taken 11 wickets in five games at an average of 15.09 and needs two more wickets to grab the “Purple Cap.” He will be the biggest threat for LSG on Saturday because it is an afternoon game and the pitch in Lucknow is good for spinners and slower bowlers. Rashid will look to deliver a match-winning performance against GT. He will also be looking to get those vital two points.

2. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has enjoyed playing against LSG because Lucknow has Krunal Pandya and KL Rahul in the team, and these three are good friends. The GT skipper knows that to defend the title, they need to win matches at the start because it will become tricky in the end. Thus, he will do whatever it takes to lead his team to victory.

Hardik looked good in the last game as well. He scored a 19-ball 28 and bowled an economical four-over spell of 1/24. Skipper will try to have a positive impact in the coming games as LSG. Notably, Gujarat has won two out of two games against Lucknow, which is why Hardik will look to continue and make the hat-trick of wins. Hardik will be crucial for the middle order, as some players are struggling to get going.

1. Shubman Gill

The biggest wicket in the GT batting lineup is Shubman Gill. He has been scoring consistently for his team since last season. In this edition as well, he is the leading run-scorer. Gill has made 228 runs in five innings at a decent average of 45.60 and a strike rate of 139.83, including two half-centuries. He will look to give the team another good start on Saturday.

The defending champion will have high hopes for the young opener because he can battle against spin and pace and also shift gears as required. With the form Gill is in, he might end up playing another match-winning knock against Lucknow. That is why the home team will look to remove him as early as possible; he can be the perfect anchor for a win for GT.