Table-toppers Gujarat Titans (GT) take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as Hardik Pandya-led side won the toss and opted to bat first in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai, on Saturday (April 23).
"Definitely (would have batted first). Last game we played here, it was scorching hot fielding first and the wicket also looks a bit dry. The spirits are obviously high, we haven't played really bad games, need to keep the energy and vibe high. Just a matter of one over or something brilliant coming from all individuals. We have few niggles, so few changes. Tim (Southee) comes in, Sam (Billings) comes in and Rinku is in," KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer said after the toss.
"We're gonna bat first. It's absolutely fine. The last game was a precautionary absence as we had five days break after that, so I wanted to get a week's break. Better to bat when it's hot and see how the surface is. Only one change - Vijay goes out and I come in," GT captain Hardik said.
Shreyas-led side are reeling on seventh in the points table as they have herculean task to get their struggling campaign on track against the new entrants Titans.
On the other hand, Hardik-led side has posed itself as the strongest contender to go big in the 15th edition of the IPL despite being the new entrant as they have been firing on all cylinders.
Pitch report
"We can see a lot of what we've seen all season, lots of grass and that should help the quicks a bit. The ball should come onto the bat nicely as it has done at this venue. Having a closer look at the track, it seems to be a bit dry and the cracks look like they could open up sooner than later. Not saying that it will be a raging turner but there should be a little something in there for the spinners. Gut feel, win the toss and bat first." reckons the English commentator Nick Knight.
Gujarat Titans Playing XI:
Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya(c), Abhinav Manohar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Shami
Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI:
Venkatesh Iyer, Sunil Narine, Shreyas Iyer(c), Nitish Rana, Sam Billings(w), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Tim Southee, Shivam Mavi, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
