Gujarat Titans (GT) will be locking horns with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 1 of the playoffs of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 at the iconic Eden Garden in Kolkata. The Sanju Samson-led side is coming off a victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final game of the league stage and the franchise will be looking to make the most of the winning momentum so that they can reach the final of the season.
RR is likely to stick with the same playing XI. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, suffered a loss in their final game of the league stage against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The Hardik Pandya-led side still has a lot of positives going their way despite the loss and they will be looking to be wiser with their lines and lengths instead of making a change in the playing XI.
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Alzarri Joseph might replace Lockie Ferguson who did go for a few runs in the previous match. Earlier this season, GT and RR locked horns with each other once and Gujarat had registered a comfortable win by 37 runs owing to a brilliant 3-wicket spell of Yash Dayal.
Player battles between both sides will make a massive difference, and Ahead of the key clash, we take a look at the matchups to watch out for.
#1 Jos Buttler vs Mohammed Shami
The last time Jos Buttler was dismissed, he looked up towards the heavens pleading for something to go his way. This hasn’t happened thus far in IPL 2022 where he has managed just 63 runs in the last 5 matches at an average of 12.6. He will be up against Titans pace spearhead Mohammed Shami. The seamer has bagged 18 wickets from 14 matches and is the leading wicket-taker for the side. His swing and nippy pace can be a challenge for Buttler.
#2 Trent Boult vs Shubman Gill
While Trent Boult had a torrid game against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he will be eager to make a fiery comeback against GT. Shubman Gill has breached the 400-run mark in IPL 2022 and he will play a crucial role for the team in the playoffs. Boult has been among the wickets for RCB. He heads into this clash with 14 wickets from 10 matches.
#3 Shimron Hetmyer vs Rashid Khan
Much of RR’s final stretch flourishes have come from Shimron Hetmyer’s bat and the same will be expected from the fiery batter as he will be squaring off with Rashid Khan. The Afghan tweaker has been among the wickets in the last three matches he’s played, and the onus will be on dismissing the Royals’ in-form batter. This player-battle might just be the deciding factor.
