Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Parthiv Patel said that the Gujarat Titans (GT) should consider recalling pace bowler Lockie Ferguson back into the playing XI for their final league stage game. However, he has not been part of the IPL team in their last two games as well. Meanwhile, he was in a good form with Mohammad Shami throughout the tournament so far. With 12 wickets at an average of 32.00, he is just one wicket away from equalling his best-ever wicket tally in the cash-rich league as well.
Parthiv Patel said on Cricbuzz: “If the surface at the Wankhede is not showing any turn, then they should try to bring back Lockie Ferguson. Otherwise, I don’t see any change. If Ferguson indeed comes in, two changes might be required to accommodate him. Wade and Sai Kishore can make way for Ferguson and an Indian batter like Sai Sudharsan.”
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Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Sai Kishore has done well in the Gujarat Titans setup so far after taking three wickets at an economy of just 6.33. Notably, the Hardik Pandya-led side has become the first team to qualify for the IPL 2022 playoffs. They even sealed their place for Qualifier 1 after a convincing win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their previous game as well.
On the other hand, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha said during the same interaction: “When you have a bowler who can bowl fast and make a difference in the game straight away, especially in dew, then he should be brought in. They have luxury, so you can afford to make little tweaks. Lockie Ferguson is important in the grand scheme of things.”
However, they will take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Wankhede Stadium on May 19 (Thursday) as well. And, RCB needs a positive result to reach the IPL playoffs. Ojha said on Cricbuzz: “RCB should watch the highlights of LSG vs KKR, that will give them confidence and belief that anything can happen.”
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He added, “They not only have to win, but they also have to win by a good margin because their net tun rate is currently negative. I think that will put huge pressure on them. They are also facing a top side. It is not like GT will take this lightly just because they have qualified, they will focus on gathering momentum. They will play with a different energy.”
“I don’t think they should consider dropping Mohammed Siraj. If you see the policy of the franchise, they have leaned towards stability, they are not chopping and changing too much. When such a player of caliber, who plays for India has a bad season, even then he should not be dropped for a must-win encounter. I don’t see them making that change at all,” Parthiv Patel concluded.
