IPL: The Gujarat Titans Have Dominated
In The Death To Go Top
This Indian Premier League season has been a wild ride so far, with the teams having never been as close in the standings at this stage ever before. Bottom-placed Delhi Capitals are just 5 points behind second-placed Chennai Super Kings and there is everything left to play. One team though seems to be separating themselves from the pack and that is the Gujarat Titans who sit at the top with 16 points. They are all but assured of a spot in the playoffs and look set to finish at the top as well. One of the keys to their success is just how utterly dominant they have been in the Death overs, both with the bat and the ball.
(Statistics Considered Up To Match 53 between Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders)
No other team is scoring at over 12 an over in the death, with only the Rajasthan Royals being anywhere close to the Titans. They are doing this by committee too, as a host of players have stepped up in the last four overs.
Death Over Batting For GT
Vijay Shankar is perhaps the big surprise and his strike rate of 290.00 is the highest among players who have faced at least 24 deliveries (4 overs) in the death. Interestingly, Rahul Tewatia is second on that list and their aggression in key moments has been vital.
When it comes to their bowling, the Titans again have a significant edge over the competition.
Top Death Over Bowlers For GT
Sharma and Noor Ahmad actually rank 2nd and 3rd in death over economy rate this season among bowlers who have bowled at least 24 deliveries (4 overs), with only Yuzvendra Chahal (5.14) ranking ahead of them.
The Titans are showing that winning the title in their first season in 2022 was no fluke and if they keep this up, they look set to defend their crown. They have blown away the competition in the final four overs in impressive fashion and it is going to take an incredible effort, along the lines of the one from Rinku, to get the better of them.