IPL 2022 | GT vs RR | Final | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

The Indian Premier League (IPL) fans will flock for the last time this year as the most enormous T20 extravaganza decks up for the final, scheduled between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on May 29 (Sunday).

While Rajasthan Royals have the crown of the inaugural champions, Gujarat Titans are one step away from creating history in their debut season.

Compared to the early perceptions, Gujarat Titans have represented a contrast to the supposed picture. Their batting unit was thought to have feet of clay. However, all the analysis has been thrown into the bin now that Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Wriddhiman Saha, Shubman Gill and Rahul Tewatia have risen like a phoenix.

The Titans have found numerous match-winners from their batting unit in the journey and have turned their presumed Achilles heel into a strong suit. GT will head to the D-Day full of confidence after earning a victory on the back of a well-rounded batting effort in Qualifier 1.

On the bowling front, it has been all merry for Gujarat. Barring a few off-days, the bowlers, namely Rashid Khan, Mohammad Shami, Yash Dayal and Alzarri Joseph, have fared well and would eye to keep up with the same performance in the mega clash.

Speaking of Rajasthan Royals, it has been an underdog story. They had the tools for this downright dominance, but did anyone give them a chance?

Jos Buttler is inarguably having a once-in-a-lifetime kind of season and has carried RR's vulnerable batting line-up on his shoulder. Skipper Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravichandran Ashwin also have their names embroidered in the team's fairytale campaign.

Yuzvendra Chahal has been the Royals' primary bowler. Although he had a forgetful outing in the last game against GT, the leggie can work around his magic again when it matters the most. Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Obed McCoy and Ashwin have also been the other main pillars of RR's success. 

Match Details:

Match: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, Final

Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Date & Time: May 29 at 8 PM IST & Local Time

Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar

Pitch Report: As seen in the last fixture held at the venue, bowlers will have to vary their pace to be successful. Batters are likely to have a fun ride, and a high-scoring final is on the cards.

Head-To-Head:

Gujarat Titans maintain a 2-0 head-to-head record against Rajasthan Royals.

Injury Update/Players' Availability:

There are no injury concerns in both the camps, and we can expect an unchanged playing XI on Sunday.

Key Performers:

Jos Buttler has become a synonym of consistency. The Englishman has the orange cap to his name, scoring 824 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 151.47.

What Buttler is to Rajasthan's batting unit, Yuzvendra Chahal, is to their bowling contingent. The leggie has taken 26 scalps in 16 matches and is just a wicket away from running away with the purple cap.

You cannot keep Hardik Pandya out of this list. The leadership role has helped the GT skipper flourish as a batter. As of now, Pandya has aggregated 453 runs in 14 matches at an average of 45.30.

While Rashid Khan seemingly was off the radar in the first half of the IPL 2022 with the ball, he pulled up the socks in the business end. The Afghanistan-born can very well be termed as an all-rounder this year. He has taken 18 wickets in 15 games and pulled off some magnificent heists with the bat for GT.

Squads:

Gujarat Titans: Hardik Pandya (c), Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Jason Roy, Lockie Ferguson, Abhinav Sadarangani, Rahul Tewatia, Noor Ahmed, Sai Kishore, Vijay Shankar, Jayant Yadav, Dominic Drakes, Darshan Nalkande, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph, Pradeep Sangwan, David Miller, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Matthew Wade, Varun Aaron, B Sai Sudharshan.

Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (c/wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Obed McCoy, Karun Nair, James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch, Navdeep Saini, KC Cariappa, Daryl Mitchell, Tejas Baroka, Kuldip Yadav, Anunay Singh, Kuldeep Sen, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Garhwal.

Probable Playing XI:

Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Matthew Wade, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Rahul Tewetia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Mohammad Shami

Rajasthan Royals: Yashavi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Obed McCoy

CREX XI Suggestion:

Wicket-Keeper: Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Wriddhiman Saha

Batters: David Miller, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill

All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya

Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Rashid Khan

Captain: Jos Buttler

Vice-Captain: Hardik Pandya