Gujarat Titans opt to field, eye top-two finish with win over struggling LSG

Former champions Gujarat Titans have opted to field first against a struggling Lucknow Super Giants side in their IPL 2025 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday. With an eye on a top-two finish, the Titans will be looking to extend their winning streak and tighten their grip on a favorable playoff position.

Currently sitting atop the points table with 18 points from 12 matches, Gujarat have already secured a spot in the playoffs. However, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings breathing down their necks on 17 points each, the race for a top-two finish, which guarantees an extra shot at reaching the final, remains intense.

Under Shubman Gill’s leadership, Gujarat have looked like a well-oiled machine. Their batting unit, in particular, has been firing on all cylinders. Orange Cap holder B Sai Sudharsan has amassed 617 runs in 12 matches, leading the run charts with remarkable consistency. Gill himself has been in sublime touch, contributing 601 runs, while the experienced Jos Buttler has added 500 runs to the team’s tally. This formidable top-order trio has laid a solid foundation in almost every game, often putting the opposition on the back foot early.

In stark contrast, Lucknow Super Giants have endured a turbulent campaign. Their playoff aspirations were officially dashed following a heavy defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this week. The Rishabh Pant-led side is currently on a four-match losing streak, and their campaign has been marred by persistent inconsistency and untimely injuries.

While the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran have carried the batting burden to some extent, the lack of impactful contributions from the middle order, especially skipper Pant, has been a significant concern. Pant, who was expected to be the backbone of the batting line-up, has struggled throughout the season and failed to justify his hefty price tag.

Compounding Lucknow’s woes is the absence of key bowlers due to injuries. The latest blow is the unavailability of their leading wicket-taker, spinner Digvesh Rathi. Rathi has been the standout performer with the ball, claiming 14 wickets at an economy rate of 8.18, and his absence leaves a significant gap in LSG’s bowling arsenal.

This article first appeared on Mid Day