DBC vs GGT Match Preview
Rovman Powell and Sikandar Raza showed their power game in the previous match and helped the Dubai Capitals to 187, a score that proved to be comfortably enough to win. Robin Uthappa and Joe Root also got a start, promising more in the matches to come, and there were some valuable cameos down the order as well.
We continue to worry about the presence of players like Uthappa and Pathan in the top 6 because they are simply not playing enough top-quality T20 cricket anymore.
Also, there seems to be a bit of dependence on Rovman Powell providing the power right now. It is a promising lineup but one that we can see struggle if Powell does not perform.
The bowling lineup of the Capitals in the previous match depended largely on spinners and pacers that take the pace off. That was a smart choice. Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sikandar Raza, and Isuru Udana are quite experienced in this format.
The Gulf Giants won their opening match with absolute ease.
Sanchit Sharma of the UAE took three wickets for nine runs and was the real star of the match. Chris Jordan also picked up three wickets including the important wicket of Andre Russell.
With Richard Gleeson, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, and David Wiese in the bowling unit, we think the Gulf Giants have a slight advantage over the Dubai Capitals in this respect.
The batting lineup of the Gulf Giants is also excellent. James Vince, Olli Pope, Shimron Hetmyer, and David Wiese are the main batters around which the team will work.
Weather Report
There is no rain expected, as is normally the case in the UAE.
Pitch Report
The pitch is going to be absolutely flat and will not change a bit from what we have seen so far. The surface has been slow but consistent and once the batters get adjusted to the bounce on offer, they can play quite freely.
A score of around 160-170 should be seen as par.
Notable stats
Sikandar Raza's Prolific T20 Form
Sikandar Raza broke Virat Kohli's record for the most man-of-the-match performances in a single calendar year. He started IL T20 2023 in style with an important batting cameo (26 off17) and bowled his full quota of overs (4 overs, 1 for 17).
Team News
We may see teams try out different combinations but bo injuries have been reported so far.
DBC vs GGT Probable 11
DBC Playing 11
- Robin Uthappa (Wk)
- Joe Root
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa
- Rovman Powell (C)
- Sikandar Raza
- Yusuf Pathan
- Ravi Bopara
- Isuru Udana
- Mujeeb ur Rahman
- Hazrat Luqman
- Akif Raja
GGT Playing 11
- James Vince (C)
- Rehan Ahmed
- Ollie Pope (Wk)
- Garhard Erasmus
- Shimron Hetmyer
- David Wiese
- Ayan Afzal Khan
- Liam Dawson
- Chris Jordan
- Richard Gleeson
- Sanchit Sharma
Dream11 Prediction
There is no too much difference between the two teams playing this match. This is why we are going to chase the better odds and actually back the Gulf Giants to win this match. The Dubai Capitals have more depth in their batting lineup but a couple of their players are no longer active in international cricket and that is a big red flag.
Top Picks
Sikandar Raza - An excellent all-rounder in most conditions, Raza becomes especially valuable in the UAE because he will end up bowling his full quota of overs in most matches.
James Vince - 65 not out in the opening match and runs in the BBL leading up to the IL T20 2023 season. Vince is a must-have in your Dream11 lineups.
DBC vs GGT Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: O Pope
Batters: J Vince (C), J Root, S Hetmyer, R Powell
All-rounders: L Dawson, D Wiese, S Raza (VC)
Bowlers: C Jordan, R Gleeson, Mujeeb ur Rahman
