The atmosphere was electric at the Narendra Modi Stadium as the Gujarat Titans began their title defence with a terrific win against the Chennai Super Kings. We now head to the national capital, where the Delhi Capitals await us for our second match of TATA IPL 2023. 

The Capitals, who will be playing their first home match of the season will be eager to prove a point having lost their opening match against Lucknow Super Giants. For the Titans, it is a matter of maintaining the momentum having begun things on a positive note. 

The bowling department provided timely breakthroughs, with three bowlers scalping two wickets each. Joshua Little cleaned up Ambati Rayudu to become the first Irish cricketer to pick up a wicket in the TATA IPL. We got a brilliant start at the top from Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill, followed by brilliant finishing touches from Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia. B Sai Sudharsan, our first-ever impact player, and Vijay Shankar, chipped in with crucial contributions as well. 

The performance rightfully encapsulated the Titans’ spirit that was on display throughout the last season, where multiple players stepped up with match-winning contributions at different stages of the match. 

Peak into the opponent's camp

The Delhi Capitals lost their opening match to the Lucknow Super Giants, but the team is packed with plenty of match-winners. Skipper David Warner scored a half-century and Rilee Rossouw chipped in with a good cameo. They also have a strong Indian core in the bowling department, which includes regulars at the international level like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. 

The Titan to watch out for

This is Rashid Khan’s territory we are entering, and here, only reigns supreme. He wins you matches with the ball and if needed, he does the same with the bat as well. Our Afghan superstar produced a sensational all-round performance, first picking up two big wickets in the first innings, followed by an impactful cameo at the fag end of the match. 

Rashid Khan has a great track record against left-handed batters in TATA IPL, picking up 43 wickets at an economy of 6.43. Having taken down two crucial lefties against Chennai (Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes), Rashid has to deal with his former teammate David Warner, Rilee Rossouw and Axar Patel in this match, who have a good track record against spin. 

Key numbers

Wriddhiman Saha needs 48 runs to complete 2,500 runs in TATA IPL. 

Shubman Gill is 37 short of 2,000 runs in TATA IPL.  

The Gujarat Titans batted second in 10 matches in TATA IPL so far, winning nine of them. 

Match details

Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans, Match 7
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
7.30 PM