With Wriddhiman Saha in the top-order, Gujarat Titans have managed to crack the powerplay code as the wicketkeeper-batsman has given them fiery starts since joining the franchise in the 2022 edition. The right-handed batsman gets behind the bowling from the start and allows the batsmen to follow enough cushion to get their eye in. seasoned campaigner, who is playing in IPL Since the 2008 season, has continued to slip under the radar in the shortest format but has been very effective for the Hardik Pandya-led unit.
Saha is one of the few Indians with 1000 powerplay runs in IPL and only two – Prithvi Shaw and Virender Sehwag – have a better strike rate than him. For Saha, the plan is simple – attack in the powerplay and give the team an early advantage.
IPL 2023 Mark sheet: Check Team Standings, Team Points, Wins, Losses and orange cap, purple cap
He said, ‘If a team gets a good start in the powerplay, then the chances of getting a big total increase. I have been playing with the same approach in the shorter format since my younger days. Teammates and coaches talk to me like that and they have given me freedom. So I think I have got a chance to open for GT and other teams.
In Saha, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan, GT has a solid top-order that has an all-round game to counter any opposition. Having Gill at the other end is making life easier for the experienced Saha and giving him a chance to play his natural game.
Read this also | IPL 2023: We want to win and retain the title, says Sai Sudarshan of Gujarat Titans
“Shubman has been in top form for what he has done for the Indian cricket team. It is easy to bat with him. If the top order does well and contributes, life becomes easier for the team. If Shubman stays at the other end and I can play my natural game, then our strategy becomes easier.
Stumper said that success in the powerplay puts the team ahead “30-40%”.
“If a team does well in the powerplay, my personal view is that the team goes ahead by 30-40%. The team that scores 60 runs in the powerplay advances. It also supports the middle order and makes it easy for the batsmen to follow. I try to score maximum runs in the powerplay.
purple cap Holder IPL 2023: See full list here
It is not just the powerplay approach that has helped GT during their successful run but also the depth they enjoy with the presence of Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia lower down the order .
“The top-order job becomes easier as we have multiple finishers like Hardik, Rahul, Miller and Rashid who have done well last season – scoring 20+ runs in an over and 40+ runs in two overs. If we get a good start, we take him into the middle order like Sai and Vijay Shankar did in the last two matches. So we never felt that there was much pressure on the lower order. As a team, my approach is to do well in the first six overs,” Saha said.
friendly atmosphere
For Saha, GT Camp is one of the best he has been a part of. The friendly atmosphere created by both the captain and the support staff, led by Ashish Nehra, makes it easy for the players to express themselves.
orange cap Holder IPL 2023: See full list here
“GT has been one of the best franchises I have been a part of. We can share our personal thoughts/goals with anyone in the camp. The coaching staff, especially Ashish bhai, Gary and Vikram bhai, are very friendly and the players are also very friendly. This is the main mantra of our performance in the last edition and what we have done this year.
impact player rules
Gujarat Titans were forced to use the impact player rule during their season opener when Kane Williamson was not fit to bat. Sai Sudarshan came in and did well. In the next game, against Delhi Capitals, GT used Vijay Shankar, who stitched a crucial partnership with Sai Sudarshan. Saha feels the rule has so far been more “batsman oriented” and gives the chasing teams the upper hand.
“Earlier there used to be a super-sub. I think it is like this. I think till now it is too much focused on the batsmen. Bowlers have come in a game but more focused on the batsmen. I think this rule is more beneficial for chasing teams. It gives teams an extra option like KKR used a leg-spinner in the previous game,” Saha said.
get the latest cricket news, ipl 2023 live score, orange cap And purple cap holder details here