Preview by Ghcalive Staff
David Miller made a joke during the news conference on Thursday (May 4), in reference to handling the pressure that comes with being the reigning champs. When nobody gave them a chance to have a successful IPL debut the year before, these five words may best sum up their championship run. They had a catastrophic pursuit that got them to Jaipur, but they are currently in first place in the points standings. A victory would give them a three-point lead at the top in a season like this, saving them from having to take part in a five- or even six-team playoff competition.
Rajasthan Royals, who have already defeated GT this year, have a chance to pass them and capture the top spot in what is unquestionably the most competitive IPL season yet. RR’s victory will put them in first position, but just two points will separate them from PBKS, who is in sixth place, to put that into perspective.
The fact that these two strong squads not only went head-to-head for the title last year but also enjoyed a successful start to this year with four wins in the first five games for RR and three for GT, lends even more intrigue to Friday’s encounter. potentially of their teams’ shortcomings have come to light during the process, something they may potentially exploit in Jaipur. RR tend to slow down in the middle overs, whilst GT may go aggressive from both ends with the spin of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed. Saha’s powerplay efficiency is deteriorating, while Hardik Pandya’s batting performance is at an all-time low. These issues for GT are more private.
However, both teams have enough in their favour to make up for the issues that have arisen during a difficult season that also involves continuous cross-country travel for the first time since 2019. They both had outstanding NRRs and six (GT) and five (RR) victories between them. The Friday game may be a great starting point for both to get there.
When: Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans, May 5 2023, 7.30 PM IST
Where: Sawai Mansingh stadium, Jaipur
PITCH REPORT
The average first innings score in the previous 14 T20 matches at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium has been 138 runs. Given that both teams who bat first and second have won an identical amount of games, the toss may not have much of an impact in this situation. On this pitch, pacers have taken 46% of the wickets while spinners have taken 54% of them.
What to anticipate: Two distinct matches with quite different conditions have previously taken place here. When the surface was uneven and slow, RR struggled, Buttler scored with a strike rate under 100, and LSG successfully held the hosts to 154/7 in defence. Yashasvi Jaiswal helped RR to 202/5 and a 32-run victory over CSK by scoring 77 off of 43 when the ball left the bat and landed on the deck. Because they have recently struggled on slow surfaces, both clubs will be hoping the pitch they play on has lots of runs on it.
Head-to-head: Last year, GT won all three of their games against RR, including the championship match. But this year, RR has already earned one back with a triumph in Ahmedabad.
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Rajasthan Royals
Strategy & Match: Wriddhiman Saha, GT’s faltering opener, was defeated by Trent Boult, who dismissed him three times in 24 balls while only allowing 22 runs to be scored.
Probable XI: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Jason Holder, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma
During RR’s most recent home game, left-arm bowler Kuldip Yadav replaced Trent Boult, who was out with a niggle. Right-arm fast bowler Kuldeep Sen replaced Boult in the game (versus MI in Wankhede), but he only bowled one over for 20 runs. In this scenario, one of these two quicks may switch in.
For the middle overs against GT captain Hardik Pandya, who has recently been batting at one-drop, Chahal will be essential. Despite having favourable statistics against the talented R Ashwin (64 off 43 balls, 0 dismissals), Hardik has had trouble getting rid of the leg-spinner (48 runs off 57 balls, 3 dismissals). However, despite using his left hand to bat, David Miller is unable to get away from Ashwin and can only muster a meagre 112.33 against him.
Gujarat Titans
Strategy & Match: With Mohammed Shami, the season’s leading wicket-taker, on their side, GT should make it their top objective to stop RR from employing Buttler to initiate the PowerPlay. The fast bowler has moreover grabbed 12 PowerPlay wickets so far this year, four more than second-placed Mohammed Siraj.
By his lofty standards, Buttler has had a quiet season, which GT will want to maintain on Friday. By Buttler’s lofty standards, he has scored 79 runs off 62 balls with a strike rate of 127.42 against Shami. Shami also got him twice, one for a five-ball duck in the bout from the previous month.
GT will deal with Shimron Hetmyer, the RR finisher, via Shami. The West Indian has faced 24 balls but has only managed to score 17 runs and has been out four times. Rashid Khan, who has only allowed 117.20 runs to be scored against him, is GT’s go-to bowler for Sanju Samson. To put that into perspective, the RR captain scores at a strike rate of 186.21 and 156.67 against Shami and Hardik Pandya.
Probable XI: Wriddihman Saha, Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, Joshua Little, Mohammed Shami
Depending on who wins the toss, Shubman Gill or Mohit Sharma will be the impact replacement (Gill if they bowl first, Mohit if they bat first).
They stated:
“In my perspective, Dhruv has had an outstanding season. He was with us the year before as well, and his talent is clear. His performance as an actor was superb. I find his way of thinking to be brilliant. He plays bravely, for the team, and brilliantly in a difficult position (No. 5, 6, and 7 may be problematic in T20 cricket). —Jos Buttler on Dhruv Jurel’s service to the team this year.
“I never really believed I was weak against spin, but it was undoubtedly an area I wanted to get better at. Over the years, I’ve given it more consideration. I place more importance on mentality changes than on technological advancements. I believe I am playing spin lot better, and I am emotionally much better. According to David Miller, the only option is to trust your preparation and engage in combat while facing spin.
Squads:
Rajasthan Royals Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson(w/c), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Sen, Riyan Parag, Murugan Ashwin, Donavon Ferreira, Kuldip Yadav, Joe Root, Adam Zampa, Navdeep Saini, Akash Vasisht, KC Cariappa, Obed McCoy, KM Asif, Abdul Basith, Kunal Singh Rathore
Gujarat Titans Squad: Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya(c), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad, Joshua Little, Mohit Sharma, Sai Sudharsan, Srikar Bharat, Shivam Mavi, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Pradeep Sangwan, Matthew Wade, Dasun Shanaka, Odean Smith, Darshan Nalkande, Urvil Patel
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