Key Highlights:
Fraser-McGurk has been left out of the Delhi Capitals’ (DC) starting XI for their crucial GT vs DC clash in Match 35 of IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With the match set to begin under intense afternoon heat, DC’s decision to keep the Impact Player slot open has sparked strategic discussions.
GT Win Toss, Elect to Field First
Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first. Given the searing temperature of 41°C, Gill emphasized managing energy and momentum by fielding first.
“Very hot but the wicket looks good. We’re sticking with the same team. Rabada may return in 10 days,” said Gill during the toss.
DC captain Axar Patel, though preferring to chase, called it a “good toss to lose” under such testing weather.
“The wicket looks good, and I believe we can put a strong total. We’ve kept the Impact Player flexible depending on the situation,” Axar added.
Delhi Capitals Playing XI – Fraser-McGurk Omitted
DC named a dynamic squad but left Jake Fraser-McGurk, their aggressive top-order batter, on the bench.
DC Playing XI:
- Abishek Porel (wk)
- Karun Nair
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Axar Patel (c)
- Tristan Stubbs
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Vipraj Nigam
- Mitchell Starc
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohit Sharma
- Mukesh Kumar
Impact Options: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sameer Rizvi, Darshan Nalkande, Donovan Ferreira, Dushmantha Chameera
Gujarat Titans XI – Unchanged Squad
GT retained their successful combination with no changes.
GT Playing XI:
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Sai Sudharsan
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Shahrukh Khan
- Rahul Tewatia
- Arshad Khan
- R Sai Kishore
- Rashid Khan
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Ishant Sharma
Bench Options: Sherfane Rutherford, Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat, Washington Sundar, Karim Janat
Why Fraser-McGurk Was Left Out
Sources suggest Fraser-McGurk’s form in recent matches has been inconsistent. With Delhi’s top order already boasting KL Rahul and Karun Nair, the team management may be looking for a flexible finisher or bowling boost as their impact sub depending on the game flow.
“With heat and pitch conditions in mind, DC have left Fraser-McGurk out and may bring him in only if they lose quick wickets,” said a Cricbuzz analyst.
Pitch and Weather Report – Ahmedabad
- Pitch Type: Red soil, offering bounce and carry early, with slight grip later
- Average 1st Innings Score: 180–190
- Weather: 41°C, sunny, no dew expected
- Tactical Trend: Teams chasing have had better records here historically
Key Players to Watch
- Kuldeep Yadav (DC): Can exploit mid-innings with turn
- Sai Sudharsan (GT): In top form, could anchor a run chase
- Mitchell Starc (DC): Backed for early breakthroughs
- Mohammed Siraj (GT): Leads the attack and targets KL Rahul up top
Match Significance
- DC lead the table with 10 points from 6 matches
- GT are close behind with 8 points
- A win for GT could shake up the top two; a DC win would extend their dominance
Disclaimer
This is a sponsored post in partnership with Cricbuzz. Playing XI updates, Impact Player strategies, and match insights are based on official IPL data and team confirmations. Viewer discretion is advised.
Stay updated with the latest from Hindustan Herald — your trusted source for
Politics, Business, Sports, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Breaking News, and More.
📲 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube
🔔 Join our Telegram channel @hindustanherald for real-time news alerts.
