Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels Gujarat Titans are not looking like a team that can progress to IPL 2025 final. GT is currently at the top of the standings with 18 points and they would want Lucknow Super Giants to beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru for them to finish among the top-two teams.
GT suffered a huge loss of 83 runs against Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday, which dented their Net Run Rate.
Before this game, GT had also suffered a 33-run loss against Lucknow Super Giants. Chopra noted that GT peaked too early in the tournament and now they are losing steam in the crucial phase of the season. Furthermore, Kusal Mendis has replaced in-form Jos Buttler for the playoffs, as the English batter will not be available due to national commitment.
“Firstly, finishing in the top two has become more difficult now. They are dependent on the others. However, even if they finish in the top two, they are not looking like a team that can progress. It used to be, but it’s not looking like the same team,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“They peaked too early, and now, when people will also leave, Kusal Mendis will come, the same story won’t get created. I feel this team has lost a lot of steam. Chennai have started to look better, whether it’s Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel or Dewald Brevis,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the reputed commentator hailed Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel and Dewald Brevis for their blistering batting against GT on Sunday.
“IPL is the biggest reality show in the world. Wildcard entries happen in reality shows. These three have come and done an incredible job. They took the team to 230. They batted incredibly well. They kept hitting fours and sixes, and they thrashed Gujarat,” Chopra observed.
GT conceded 230 runs against CSK and Chopra noted that their bowling is looking ordinary. GT bowlers were taken for 235 against LSG.
“Gujarat have been thrashed in two successive games. First, LSG thrashed them, and after that, CSK thrashed them. The bowling is suddenly looking ordinary. Then you went to chase, and you couldn’t. This story has played out twice now,” he said.
Chopra highlighted that GT will be over-dependent on Gill and Sudharsan in Jos Buttler’s absence.
“It means the momentum that was there has all gone. Jos Buttler will also go, and you have dropped Kagiso Rabada in any case. Rashid Khan’s form hasn’t come. Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill will get out some time, and whenever they get out, this team falls behind,” Chopra concluded.
