GT chase ranking, LSG plot sabotage: 'Dead rubber' with major consequences

GT vs LSG - Tonight’s showdown in Ahmedabad is more than just a game — it’s a battle for positioning and pride. GT sit comfortably in the playoffs with 18 points from 12 games but are locked in a fierce fight for a top-two finish. Behind them, RCB and Punjab Kings lurk on 17 points, so every game counts.

GT’s strength? Their unstoppable top three — B Sai Sudharsan leads the pack with a blazing 617 runs, captain Shubman Gill’s close behind with 601, and Jos Buttler’s added a solid 500 as well. Combined, they’ve racked up 1,700+ runs, including 16 half-centuries and a century, anchoring most of Gujarat’s victories. Their middle order hasn’t been truly tested yet — a luxury few teams can afford.

Their bowling attack mirrors that dominance. Prasidh Krishna is the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets, backed by the fiery Mohammed Siraj and crafty left-arm spinner Sai Kishore, each grabbing 15 scalps. That pace and precision combo is lethal.

For Lucknow, it’s a classic case of “batting fires, bowling troubles.” Marsh, Markram, and Pooran have piled on 1,300+ runs together, but injuries have hit their bowling hard. In addition, their best bowler this season, Digvesh Rathi, will miss this game after his altercation with Abhishek Sharma earned him a suspension, which means LSG’s bowling will be stretched.

But here’s where it gets exciting: LSG have zero pressure and everything to play for. And with Rishabh Pant hungry to ignite his IPL after a quiet season so far, this clash might just be his perfect stage to explode.

GT start favourites, with a 4-2 head-to-head edge, but don’t write off LSG. They’re primed to shake things up. And when a top-two spot is on the line, the real pressure might just be on Gujarat.