GT VS KKR MATCH 63

Right then, the Gujarat players are taking a lap around the Narendra Modi Stadium to thank their fans as this is their last game at home. With this, that's a wrap from Match 63 where, after a frustrating and prolonged wait, the game ends up being a washout. But worry not, we have now entered the penultimate week of this edition of the Indian T20 League and with Playoffs on the cusp, this week of the league stage is surely going to provide some thrilling nail-biters. Up next is an important clash between Delhi and Lucknow at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Both teams are itching to get back to winning ways and are fighting hard for the Playoff spots. However, there's still a lot of work to be done in terms of permutations and combinations as the NRR will undoubtedly be a crucial factor in the end. This game will be played on Tuesday, 14th May, and the first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). But as always, you can join us for the pre-match build-up. Till then, cheers, and take care!

Bad news folks! The inevitable has happened and the match has been called off. The rain really poured on our expectations, didn't it? A buzzkill after all the hype! Well, only for Gujarat as this is a crushing dent to its Playoff ambitions, as they are now officially eliminated from this year's Indian T20 League. With only a solitary game remaining and unable to accumulate even 14 points now, their journey comes to an unfortunate end. Surely Gujarat and their fans will be gutted as the two-time finalists' journey ends in the worst possible way. But truth be told, their season saw a fair share of struggles throughout the league stage. Meanwhile, Kolkata's probably kicking back without a care in the world as they're already locked in for the Playoffs, and now they've even strengthened their hold on the top spot with that additional point and a very healthy Net Run Rate. Surely they must have hoped for a full 40-over match to mark their 250th game in this competition with some memorable moments but they have secured a spot in Qualifier 1 with this point and will have two bites at the cherry to make it to the final. However, their next hurdle is even more challenging, as they face Rajasthan in the final league game of this season.

UPDATE - 10.26 pm IST (4.56 pm GMT) - The umpires are really optimistic and the covers are coming off now. There are a few puddles and the Super Soppers are working hard to prepare the ground as we are not far from the cut-off time. We are also hearing that if everything goes well, the toss will happen at 10.41 pm IST (5.11 pm GMT). Stick with us for more updates.

UPDATE - 22.15 pm IST (4.45 pm GMT) - Well, the umbrellas are still over the heads as it is still raining out there. Gujarat skipper Shubman Gill, along with the coach, Ashish Nehra is out to the middle and they are having a chat with the match officials. Also, Kolkata's skipper, Shreyas Iyer makes his way out and he is in his flip-flops. Maybe, the final verdict is just around the corner now as both the skippers are now having a chat. A lot of chatter is going around in the middle and the officials are trying their best to get at least a 5-over game but it all depends on the rain to stop as quickly as possible now. Stay tuned...

UPDATE - 21.30 pm IST (4.00 pm GMT) - Folks, this is turning out to be a disaster as the rain has strengthened further in Ahmedabad. The umbrellas are still out, but the fans are unmoved, hoping to get at least a 5-over game, which in certainty, doesn't look like a possibility seeing the visuals.

UPDATE - 21.15 pm IST (3.45 pm GMT) - The deadline for a 5-over match per side is 10.56 pm IST (5.26 pm GMT). As for the rain, it's still pouring, and no official updates regarding the toss as yet, which is surely not a piece of pleasing news for the fans of Gujarat. Stay tuned for further updates.

UPDATE - 20.35 pm IST (3.05 pm GMT) - Well, not promising news, although the intensity of rain has reduced, it is still drizzling out there and the covers are firmly placed at the center. The super sopper is out and the match officials are seen with umbrellas. Also, we have started to lose overs from here now. There's no official update on the toss yet. Stay tuned.

UPDATE - 7.50 pm IST (2.20 pm GMT) - Once again, the covers are back on, accompanied by strong wind and a drizzle. It appears that there may be a further delay. Please stay tuned for further updates.

UPDATE - 7.10 pm IST (1.40 pm GMT) - Good news! The lightning has also eased off now and the covers are coming off. The players from both sides have begun their pre-match warm-ups. Hopefully, not too long for the toss now. Stay tuned.

UPDATE - The toss has been delayed due to rain and lightning in Ahmedabad. The pitch is under covers as well. Although the rain has eased off a bit, so let's hope that we get an official announcement about the timing of the toss soon. Stay tuned for further updates. 

Kolkata, on the other hand, have been in terrific form and was the first team to enter the playoffs after their excellent win against Mumbai. Everything is clicking for them and they have someone or the other stepping up whenever they are in trouble. The opening duo of Phil Salt and Sunil Narine has been simply sensational. Narine has been brilliant with the ball along with Varun Chakaravarthy which has been the turning point in few games. The young and talented pacer, Harshit Rana has been good as well and they will look to continue the winning momentum before the playoffs. Will they be able to extend their unbeaten streak? Or will Gujarat stay alive in the tournament? We will find out soon. Toss and team news in a bit.

Gujarat will be high on confidence after that convincing victory over Chennai. Skipper Shubman Gill finally found his old touch and smashed a ton while Sai Sudharsan was equally impressive with a century of his own. Mohit Sharma turned the game around for them with the ball. Along with these players, they will expect a little bit from the likes David Miller, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad, but looking at their last game, it seems that they have found the right team combination. However, it may be a little too late for them but they will still want to play for pride and their fans without thinking much about the qualification scenario and just enjoy the game.

Hello and a warm welcome folks! The playoffs of the Indian T20 League 2024 is just around the corner but we still have three places up for grabs. The only team that has qualified officially, Kolkata will be in action against a resurgent Gujarat side who still has a slim chance of making it to the knockouts, but everything is not in their own hands.

... MATCH DAY ...

We are approaching the climax as the last week of the league stage kicks off with Gujarat taking on Kolkata in match number 63 of the 2024 Indian T20 League at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With 5 wins from 12 games, Gujarat need to win the remaining two matches by big margins and hope other results go their way to have any chance, whereas Kolkata, the first team to book a berth in the playoffs, are all but assured of a top-two finish owing to a superior NRR as compared to Hyderabad and Rajasthan, the other two contenders for the spot. With an emphatic win over Chennai in the last outing, Gujarat not only snapped their three-game losing streak but also put a dent in Chennai's playoff aspirations. The centurions from the last game, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, will be striving to put in another good shift with the bat, but a collective effort from the likes of Shahrukh Khan, David Miller, and Matthew Wade remains key to Gujarat's success. Although it has come late for Gujarat in the context of the playoffs race, Mohit Sharma seems to have finally found his mojo and will aim to end the season on a high. Rashid Khan has also underperformed by his standards, while his fellow Afghan, Noor Ahmad, has shown glimpses of promise. As far as Kolkata are concerned, they have been the team to beat and have showcased determination to make it to the playoffs after missing out for the past couple of seasons. Phil Salt and Sunil Narine have been instrumental in setting the tone up front, with Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer chipping in at different times. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine have hunted in pairs and have been successful in spinning webs around the opposition batters. Harshit Rana has shone in the pace department, showing resilience after a suspension earlier in the season for breaching the Indian T20 League's Code of Conduct. Despite the divergent motives driving each team, this game is poised to be a thrilling spectacle, one that has the potential to set the tone for the final week of the league stage. Who will come out on top? We will find out soon enough.