I preview the upcoming IPL 2023 match between Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders in this edition of my ‘today IPL match prediction’ series. Kolkata Knight Riders who have won the IPL twice finished in 7th place in IPL 2022. GT won the title in their maiden appearance in the competition. I expect Gujarat Titans to beat Kolkata Knight Riders on the back of home support.
However, KKR will not be pushovers. They have a balanced squad with strength in every department. As a sports enthusiast, I expect KKR to fight hard against the defending champions. And that’s a prospect I do not wish to miss.
Match | Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders |
Where | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
When | 9 April 2023 |
Start Time | 15:30 IST |
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GT vs KKR: Prediction & Tips
I have made a series of predictions in this GT vs KKR match prediction article. I have named the possible elevens that the teams will feature in the upcoming match. I have made my best toss prediction ahead of the game. Furthermore, I have offered forecasts about individual batters and bowlers. For instance, I have predicted which batter will score the most runs, and which one will hit the most sixes. I have also foreseen which bowler will enjoy the most success. My ‘today match prediction astrology’ extends to predicting which fielder will take the most catches. These IPL predictions 2023 can help punters when they bet at the best IPL betting sites.
GT Team Review.
Saha will double as keeper and opener. Gill will partner him at the top of the order. Williamson, Hardik Pandya, Miller and Tewatia will follow in turn. With Rashid Khan in at number seven, GT have many options for the finisher role. The eleven will be completed with the addition of R Sai Kishore, Shami, Alzarri Joseph and Yash Dayal.
Below is their latest Performance:
KKR Team Review
The KKR openers are likely to be Venkatesh Iyer and Jagadeeshan. Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana and Andre Russell will follow in their turn. Apart from Russell KKR have four more players who can bowl and bat: Shakib al Hasan, Ferguson, Shardul Thakur and Sunil Narine. Umesh Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy will complete the eleven.
KKR have nine batters and seven bowlers. The sheer variety in the bowling should be the envy of their rivals. However, if I can fault KKR, it is their dependence on ageing players, such as Russell, Shakib and Narine.
Below is their latest Performance:
GT vs KKR Head-to-head
The franchises have met only once (in IPL 2022). GT won that game, thereby taking a 1-0 advantage in the h2h comparison.
GT vs KKR Last Meeting
GT and KKR had a sole meeting on 23 April 2022 in Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. GT won the toss and elected to bat. After they lost Shubman Gill’s wicket at 1/8 in the 2nd over, Wriddhiman Saha and Hardik Pandya got together in an 83-run stand. After Saha got out in the 11th over, Hardik had another fruitful stand of 50 runs for the 3rd wicket with David Miller. The loss of Miller’s wicket in the 17th over opened the floodgates and GT were restricted to 156/9 in their allotted overs.
Hardik scored 67 from 49 balls to become GT’s best batter on the day. Tim Southee who took 3/24 was KKR’s best bowler.
KKR had a disastrous start to their chase, losing 3/16 by the 5th over. A regular fall of wickets reduced them to 7/108 in the 16th over. Andre Russell let loose against the GT bowlers but it proved too little too late. In the event, KKR made 148/8. Russell was their top scorer with 48 from 25 balls. For GT, M Shami, Yash Dayal, and Rashid Khan too two wickets each.
Players to look out for
Gill has been in great form playing for India. GT fans will be excited at the prospect of seeing him carry that form into the league. Hardik Pandya could prove the X-factor for the defending champions. GT fans would want Miller to replicate his form of 2022. Rashid Khan is another multi-faceted player who can slog as a batsman and take wickets while conceding very few runs. Importantly, GT have a duo of experienced pacemen in Alzarri Joseph and Md Shami.
KKR would want to see Jagadeeshan replicating his form in the domestic season when he plays in IPL 2023. The presence of Andre Russell and Shreyas Iyer in the middle order is a reassuring sign. Both players can and have played well in crises. Narine will be as crafty as ever. Shardul Thakur will surely revel in his ability to break tough partnerships. For raw pace, KKR can turn to Lockie Ferguson.
Toss prediction
KKR will win the toss.
Highest scorer
Shubman Gill has been in brilliant form for India in white ball cricket. I expect the GT opener to carry that form into the IPL. I predict that he will be the highest scorer of the upcoming game between GT and CSK.
Highest wicket taker
Rashid Khan has the ability to take wickets with his guile and experience. I predict that the Afghan all-rounder will grab the most wickets in the upcoming game.
Highest sixes hitter
GT skipper Hardik Pandya has earned a reputation for hitting sixes in all forms of cricket. My money is on GT skipper Hardik Pandya to hit the most sixes in his team’s upcoming match versus CSK.
Most economical bowler
Rashid Khan has historically proved to be an economical bowler in T20 cricket for club and country. I expect Rashid Khan to be as frugal as ever and register the best economy rate in the game.
Most catches
GT keeper Saha is likely to take the most catches in a game that could be dominated by seamers. With experienced seamers like Shami and Alzarri Joseph in the GT squad, this appears to be a logical prediction.
Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Dream 11 Predictions
I must now focus on naming my ‘today IPL match prediction dream 11’:
- Wicket keeper: Saha
- Batsmen: Gill, Rayudu, Rana
- All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Narine, Russell
- Bowlers: Shami, Joseph, Shardul, Rashid Khan
Hardik Pandya will captain my Dream 11, with Rashid Khan as his deputy.
(Disclaimer: This list is only intended as a rough guideline. I could make some changes to my Dream 11, after the IPL 2023 competition begins.)