Last Update: May 21, 2023, 20:09 IST
IPL 2023, RCB vs GT: Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Faf du Plessis (Twitter)
Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya has decided to bowl first against Faf du Plessis’ Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League
Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Hardik Pandya won the late toss and elected to field first against Faf du Plessis’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the last match number 70 of the league stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.
IPL 2023: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans – Live
Hardik Pandya said that there is no change in GT as they look to continue their winning momentum.
“We are going to bowl with the weather. Just want to know how much we’re going to chase. For us to win games and keep the momentum going, I believe in good habits. Just want to go out there and play some good cricket. This is as important as the next match for us. We are playing the same team,” said Hardik Pandya after winning the toss.
Faf du Plessis said RCB have made only one change for their must-win game with the debut of Himanshu Sharma.
“You always want to chase because of the conditions, but the team batting first has done well here. This is a new one and people are motivated for it. Just one change. Karn Sharma misses out and Himanshu Sharma replaces him,” said Faf du Plessis at the toss.
The toss was delayed after incessant rain accompanied by hailstorm in Bengaluru in the evening.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has a high-quality sub-air drainage system, which enables matches to start in quick time after the rain stops. The match is crucial for Bangalore, who are currently tied on 14 points with Rajasthan Royals.
Mumbai Indians, who beat lowest-ranked Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets at Wankhede Stadium, have 16 points.
With Mumbai Indians’ win, Bangalore will now need to beat table-toppers Gujarat to make it to the playoffs. If the rain returns and forces the cancellation of the match, both the teams will get a point and Mumbai will advance to the playoffs.
RCB vs GT Playing XI:
Royal Challengers Bangalore – Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Harshal Patel, Wayne Parnell, Mohammed Siraj, Vijaykumar Vaishak
Royal Challengers Bangalore Sub- Himanshu Sharma, S Prabhudesai, Finn Allen, Sonu Yadav, Akash Deep
Gujarat Titans – Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya, Dasun Shanaka, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Yash Dayal
Gujarat Titans Sub- Vijay Shankar, KS Bharath, Shivam Mavi, Sai Kishore, Abhinav Manohar
(with inputs from agencies)
