GT vs SRH: 5 player battles to watch out for in Ahmedabad

Gujarat Titans will be aiming to get to 14 points and get closer to the playoff qualification in the Indian Premier League 2025 season. Gujarat are on twelve points with six wins in nine matches and are well placed to become the 3rd side with 14 points this season after RCB and MI. However, Gujarat suffered two defeats in four games after a four-match winning streak and will be keen to strike the right chords. A home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) comes at a crucial time for the 2022 champions. 

Gujarat are a better side to that of SRH and enter this contest as favourites. For SRH, the equation in front of them is to win all of their remaining 5 games. SRH will be wary of Gujarat’s front three batters and their class bowling unit. A complete show is needed for SRH.

With the surface in Ahmedabad praising runs, anything above 200 will be vital. All eyes will be on Gujarat’s Jos Buttler, who is closing in on 4000 IPL runs. For SRH, Heinrich Klaasen remains a vital cog in this power of batters between the two sides.

In terms of the H2H record, SRH and Gujarat are well ahead with a 4-1 win-loss record from 5 games in the IPL. Ahead of a crucial match, we decode the 5 major key player battles.

Harshal Patel vs Shubman Gill

SRH pacer Harshal Patel could come up against an in-form Shubman Gill. Harshal, who has won the Purple Cap on two occasions, owns 13 scalps from 8 matches in IPL 2025. He averages 18.76 with his economy rate being 9.03. On the other hand, Gill has scored 389 runs this season at 48.62. He has smashed 4 fifties from 9 matches. As per ESPNcricinfo,  Harshal has claimed Gill’s scalp on one occasion in the IPL. Gill scored 57 runs from 42 balls, and his strike rate was 135.71. He has hit three fours and two sixes in addition to facing nine dot balls. Gill will look to enhance his reputation versus the right-arm pacer.

Rashid Khan vs Heinrich Klaasen

GT spinner Rashid Khan could face SRH’s star player Heinrich Klaasen, who is an excellent spinner of spin. Klaasen will aim for the big shots given his aggressive ploy against spin. Rashid is someone he will target. Notably, the Afghan spinner hasn’t been in the best form this season. Across 6 T20 innings, Klaasen has scored 73 runs against Rashid from 47 balls. He has been dismissed twice. Klaasen averages 36-plus, and his strike rate is 155.31. Overall versus right-arm leg-spin, Klaasen owns 768 runs with a strike rate of 171.81 from 78 innings. He averages 38.44. Right-arm leg-spinners have claimed his wicket 20 times.

Pat Cummins vs Jos Buttler

Pat Cummins will be keen to bowl at Jos Buttler. The Aussie pacer knows the importance of Buttler’s wicket, and he would relish a fight. Buttler has been in top form this season with 406 runs at a solid average of 81.20. His strike rate reads 81.20 with the help of 4 fifties. Meanwhile, across 5 IPL innings, Buttler has scored 43 runs from 26 balls against Cummins at an average of 21.50. Buttler’s strike rate is 165-plus. Cummins has dismissed Buttler on two occasions. Overall in T20s, Cummins owns three dismissals against Buttler from 11 innings. He owns an average of 27.66 with 83 runs under his belt. Cummins has bowled 25 dot balls.

Mohammed Siraj vs Ishan Kishan

Gujarat pacer Mohammed Siraj will have his tail lit up against SRH’s Ishan Kishan, who will come in at number three. Kishan has been inconsistent for SRH since a century in the first clash. As per ESPNcricinfo, Siraj has dismissed Kishan twice from 8 IPL innings. The southpaw amassed 75 runs from 50 balls against Siraj. He averages 37.50 with his strike rate being 150. Kishan has faced 25 dot balls in this duel. Overall in the IPL, Siraj averages 27.85 against left-handed batters from 95 innings. He owns 41 scalps. Meanwhile, Kishan has scored a total of 1231 runs from 97 innings against right-arm pacers at 30-plus (41 dismissals).

Prasidh Krishna vs Abhishek Sharma

Gujarat’s Prasidh Krishna has breathed fire in IPL 2025. He is the 2nd-highest wicket-taker currently with 17 scalps under his belt at 16.05. Krishna will aim to stop the aggressor in SRH opener Abhishek Sharma, who has amassed 240 runs from 9 games in IPL 2025. If SRH are to do well, they need Abhishek to score rapid runs and keep the scoring chart flowing. Krishna has faced Abhishek once in the IPL. He has bowled 8 balls, conceding two runs. Notably, the batter has faced six dot balls in this contest. His strike rate is 25.

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