GT vs RCB: Will Jacks storm floors Gujarat, RCB cruise to 9-wicket win

Will Jacks blitz down Titans

Will Jacks blows everything out of the park. After smashing Mohit Sharma for 29 runs, he blows Rashid Khan away for another 29 runs again to complete his century off 41 balls. This is his maiden IPL hundred and that also brings curtains on the match. RCB win by 9 wickets with 4 overs left.

GT 200/3 in 20 overs
RCB 206/1 in 16 overs

Will Jacks hits maiden IPL 50

Will Jacks hits maiden IPL fifty and he is taking Mohit Sharma to the cleaners. RCB are cruising at the moment. RCB

RCB 178/1 after 15

Will Jacks join the party

It was Virat Kohli so far. But now, Will Jacks too has joined the party. The two are sailing smoothly and the required run is now just 8.83. RCB need 53 off 36.

RCB 148/1 after 14

End to Strike Rate debate?

Kohli hits another 50

Virat Kohli has put the strike rate debate to rest on the eve of T20 World Cup selection. He gets to his half-century off just 32 deliveries. He is showing intent and that’s what RCB need at the moment. At the halfway point, RCB are 98/1.

Kohli on top

Virat Kohli is shouldering the responsibilities now with Will Jacks yet to show the fire. Kohli is striking at over 150 and RCB are 81/1 after 8

Powerplay done!

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have lost a wicket but it has been a good powerplay for them. Despite a sluggish start, Virat Kohli has picked up pace and RCB end up with 63/1 in 6 overs with 15 runs coming off the 6th over by Sai Kishore.

RCB 63/1 after 6

FDP gone!

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been dealt a big blow. Faf du Plessis was off to a great start but he has to go. Shubman Gill introduces spin and he has made it happen. Sai Kishore strikes and Faf du Plessis departs for 12-ball 24.

RCB 41/1 after 4

Good start for RCB

Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis are off to a good start. RCB are going at over 12 at the moment and they will need to take advantage of the powerplay.

RCB 37/0 after 3

Virat-Faf begin

Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis begin 201-run chase. Both Kohli and Du Plessis have hit form but they also need to start well to set the foundation.

GT finish with 200

GT score 200/3 in 20 overs and finally they would be happy with the score. Sai Sudarshan ends with 84 on 49 deliveries.

Sudarshan approaches ton

GT 182/3 in 18.5 overs.

Sudarshan 50

GT 148/3 in 16 overs

Wicket

Siraj gets Shahrukh finally. But only after he scores 58 from 30. GT 137/3 in 14.5 overs.

Shahrukh has a fifty

In 24 deliveries, GT’s Shahrukh Khan slams his first ever fifty, and that has come after 38 matches. Is that some kind of a record? GT 125/2 in 13 overs.

Look at this grab

It is 108/2 in 12 overs.

GT going slow

After 9 overs, GT are 72/2. They really need to pick up run rate, and at least look to get 200. Sai Sudarshan is 31 off 21.

Out

Poor batting from Gill here. He goes for a big one, and is caught in the deep by Cam Green. It is 45/2 in 6.4 overs.

Earlier in the day

GT has moved to 26/1 in 3.3 overs

Wicket already

Swapnil has a wicket right in the first over itself. Saha is out for 5, as GT is 6/1.

Maxwell back

GT has an Afghanistan strong bowling, and who can forget Maxi’s exploits against them at the WC. He could be a huge boost for them.

Playing XIs

Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, David Miller, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad, Mohit Sharma

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik(w), Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal

Toss time

Faf has won the toss here and opted to bowl first.

Patidar the trump card?

However, RCB has a trump card in Rajat Patidar, who has been in exceptional form this season, boasting a remarkable strike rate of 225 against spin bowlers. Furthermore, their recent win against Sunrisers Hyderabad was fueled by the strong performance of their own spinners, Karn Sharma and Swapnil Singh, offering a balanced approach.

Spin Test for Kohli’s RCB

With only one left-handed batsman in their top order, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batting lineup is likely to face a significant test against GT’s spin attack. Captain Virat Kohli’s struggles against spin this season (averaging just 123.57 compared to 161.62 against pace) could be a factor.

Home advantage?

Playing at home on Sunday, Gujarat Titans will be aiming to replicate their successful strategy from their previous home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In that match, they exploited the slowing pitch by introducing spinners Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed during the middle overs, effectively restricting runs and taking crucial wickets. Fast bowler Mohit Sharma also played a key role with his cutters, further stifling the Hyderabad batsmen.

Inconsistent Spin Arsenal

The Titans have had an up-and-down season, with questionable bowling tactics hindering their performance at times. Their most recent match against Delhi Capitals exemplified this issue, with their best bowler, Sandeep Warrier, being underutilized, while their spin attack was deployed inconsistently.