Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra lavished praise on Gujarat Titans’ bowling after they registered a four-wicket win against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday. GT bowlers were able to restrict PBKS to 163-9 on a tricky pitch after Shubman Gill decided to bowl first.
Jason Holder was the pick of the GT bowlers, returning with impressive figures of 4-24 in his quota of four overs. Furthermore, Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada bagged two wickets apiece. While Siraj bagged 2-28 in his four overs, Rabada took 2-22 in his spell.
“The Gujarat Titans bowled first, and they are bowling extremely well. Siraj picked up two wickets in his first over. After that, Rabada is like breathing fire. Then Jason Holder’s inclusion, which has happened now, he is tall, and he picked up four wickets. He is also bowling extremely well. If that 27-run Manav Suthar over hadn’t happened, this would have been a very easy match,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra noted that GT skipper Shubman Gill was not happy when the move to give the ball to Manav Suthar didn’t pay dividends after instructions from support staff.
“There was probably a slight miscalculation there. Shubman was not happy. The instructions probably came from outside. Ashu or someone else might have sent that instruction. Ashu only sends all instructions there, but he (Gill) looked visibly unhappy as to why he was being made to bowl. That over was very expensive, but the game was set up by the faster bowlers,” he observed.
The renowned commentator highlighted that GT has some tough upcoming games and it won’t be easy for them to qualify for the playoffs.
“Since Gujarat are among the teams that are tied on 12 points from 10 matches at Nos. 3 to 5, what are their qualification scenarios? Their next match is against Rajasthan. Then they have a match against Hyderabad, and then KKR and CSK. If Hyderabad’s qualification is the most difficult in terms of the remaining games, theirs is probably at the second spot,” he said.
Chopra said Shubman Gill’s team has a 60-70 percent chance of making it to the last four of the tournament.
“The easy match that is seen is maybe KKR, which is an away match, because they have already defeated them. They have defeated CSK at their home. So, again, you will fancy your chances. If they give a green-top pitch against Hyderabad, they might actually create trouble, and then Rajasthan. They have a 60 to 70 percent chance in terms of progressing,” Chopra observed.
Gujarat Titans will next take on Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur on Saturday.
