As the Indian T20 League approaches the midway point of the league phase, it’s Gujarat, one of two new teams in the competition, that lead the way with 5 wins from 6 matches. Kolkata, who set the pace early on, have slipped well down the table after 3 straight defeats.
Kolkata have been struggling with both bat and ball. S. Iyer has led by example, but the likes of V. Iyer and N. Rana have been largely disappointing so far. A. Finch adds both experience and hitting power at the top of the order, but P. Cummins, his Australian teammate, has been unexpectedly expensive with the ball after a dream team performance with the bat against Mumbai. U. Yadav has also lost form after an excellent start to the season.
Gujarat keep finding match-winners for every situation. Against Chennai in what looked to be a doomed chase, it was D. Miller and R. Khan that dragged them over the line. H. Pandya’s return after missing that match will only make them even stronger.
Kolkata don’t need to push any panic buttons just yet. But a 4th loss in a row will hurt them, even as it pushes Gujarat a big step closer to the play-offs.
Match Details
- Match: Kolkata vs. Gujarat, Match 35
- Venue: DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai
- Date & Time: Apr. 23, 2022, at 3:30 PM IST
Kolkata vs. Gujarat Match 35 Probable Playing XIs
Team Kolkata
A. Finch, V. Iyer, S. Narine, S. Iyer (C), N. Rana, A. Russell, S. Jackson (WK), R. Singh, S. Mavi, U. Yadav, V. Chakravarthy, T. Southee
Team Gujarat
W. Saha (WK), S. Gill, A. Manohar, H. Pandya (C), D. Miller, R. Tewatia, R. Khan, A. Joseph, M. Shami, L. Ferguson, Y. Dayal
KOLKATA VS GUJARAT HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
This is the first meeting for these two teams, with Gujarat being new to the competition.
Weather Report
Summer has well and truly gripped Mumbai, and the temperature will be as high as 35°C when the match starts in the afternoon.
Pitch Report For Kolkata vs Gujarat Match
This venue has already seen a 200-plus total chased down, but apart from that, teams have defended every total in excess of 170. The key to success here seems to be to keep some wickets in hand for a late assault.
Toss
Of the 12 matches played here, 7 have been won by the chasing side, But it’s also worth noting that a big total has been chased down only once.
Top Fantasy Picks For Kolkata vs. Gujarat Match
Team Kolkata
- S. Iyer is the only Kolkata batter in the top 20 run-getters’ list. His 236 runs have come at an excellent strike rate of 148.42, and he has made 2 half centuries. His leadership will be as important as Kolkata seek a route back into the top 4.
- A. Russell struggles to get through tournaments these days, such is the battering his body has taken from his all-action cricket style. But even as he keeps niggles in check, Russell has smashed 179 runs at an incredible strike rate of 177.22.
- S. Narine will probably never again be the destroyer of line-ups that he was in his glory years. What this version of Narine does, though, is give nothing away. After seven matches, his economy rate is a ridiculously low 5.03. The 6 wickets can almost be viewed as a bonus.
Team Gujarat
- S. Gill has been quiet with the bat in the last 3 matches. He scored only 20 runs including a duck against Chennai in the previous match. However, he is Gujarat’s second highest run scorer with 200 runs at a strike rate of 151.51 and would be eager to perform against his former team.
- H. Pandya may have missed the last match, but he remains Gujarat’s leading run scorer with 228 runs at scored a strike rate of 136.52. With the ball, he has 4 wickets at an economy rate less than 8 an over.
- R. Khan has only 6 wickets from six matches, but that doesn’t tell the full story. Teams are so wary of him that they try and play out his spell, taking chances against the other bowlers. An economy rate of 6.66 should tell you of the value he brings to the Gujarat team.
Kolkata vs. Gujarat Match HOWZAT DREAM TEAM
- Wicketkeeper: W. Saha
- Batters: S. Gill, S. Iyer, A. Manohar, A. Finch
- All-rounders: S. Narine, A. Russell, H. Pandya
- Bowlers: T. Southee, L. Ferguson, R. Khan
- Captain: S. Gill/H. Pandya
- Vice Captain: A. Russell/S. Narine
NOTE: The Howzat dream team above is just a suggestion. You can select your own team from today’s fantasy match prediction and play all the fantasy cricket matches of the Indian T20 League 2022. Also, don’t forget to make any necessary changes to your team once the actual playing 11 is announced by each team (30 minutes before the start of the match) as some players you have selected might not be part of the team playing.
Download the favorite fantasy cricket app and select your own team, Howzat!
