The royals from Rajasthan have reached the IPL finals after 14 years of waiting. After their only IPL title at the inaugural edition in 2008, they have seen five different winners in 13 seasons. The side now have a golden opportunity to double the joy with a second title when they take on the Gujarat Titans on Sunday night. On the other hand, the game at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will also give the IPL newcomers a chance to cap off a sensational debut season with a trophy in hand.
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LIVE STREAMING – WHERE YOU CAN WATCH LIVE
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals clash can be followed live on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 HD Hindi, Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu, Star Sports 1 Kannada and Star Sports Select become 1 and Star Sports Select 1 HD. Viewers can also follow the GT vs. RR live stream on Disney+ Hotstar on their Android and Apple phones and tablets. Time: 7:30 p.m. IST.
TEAM NEWS
Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha has netted just 31 runs in the last two games and the Gujarat Titans desperately need him to shoot up front, especially at a time when Shubman Gill is looking far from his best. Hardik Pandya is the team’s leading runscorer this season and his batting form will help dictate the game. Meanwhile, David Miller will be the center of attention on the night of the finals after being named Player of the Match in Qualifier 1. Another group of matchwinners – Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan – don’t have many hitting opportunities late on and they too will hardly be able to make an appearance. In the bowling department, Mohammed Shami led the tempo attack and made crucial breakthroughs on the power play. Meanwhile, players like Yash Dayal and Alzarri Joseph are having a decent season. Their spin bowling is really strong as Rashid Khan throws the crucial four overs for them while R Sai Kishore was a good assist for him.
Rajasthan Royals: After losing his rhythm in the league phase of the 2022 IPL, Jos Buttler is finally back on form with two big goals in the playoffs. While Yashasvi Jaiswal hasn’t made a significant contribution in the playoffs, Sanju Samson and Devdutt Padikkal have looked good. Meanwhile, Shimron Hetmyer hasn’t proven his worth in RR’s midfield. On the bowling front, RR has a strong unit with the pace trio of Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna and Obed McCoy all back on form. Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is by far the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2022, but what’s a sign of concern for RR is that he’s been leaking runs in the playoffs and has remained wicketless in those games as well. Experimental Ravichandran Ashwin has struggled to win wickets this season but his saving rate (7.36) has been impressive.
HEAD TO HEAD
Both the Gujarat Titans and the Rajasthan Royals faced each other twice in the 2022 IPL. Gujarat have won both games, most recently in Qualifier 1.
EVENT VENUE AND PARKING SPACE
GT and RR will hold their IPL 2022 match at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The venue offers a good hitting surface but offers plenty of help for fast bowlers as well. Winning the toss and bowling first may, on the surface, be a better choice.
LIKELY TO PLAY XIs
Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Matthew Wade, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c&wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Obed McCoy, Yuzvendra Chahal
