Rajasthan Royals (RR) find themselves at the summit of the points table in the ongoing IPL season, boasting an unblemished record of four victories in as many matches. In contrast, Gujarat Titans sit lower in the standings, positioned seventh with two wins from five outings. The Royals’ impeccable form sees them riding a wave of success, having triumphed in all four encounters, showcasing their dominance both at home and away. Notably, their recent chase of 183 runs against formidable opponents saw Jos Buttler shine with a majestic century, outshining even Virat Kohli’s stellar performance.
Bolstered by a formidable bowling lineup featuring Trent Boult, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Yuzvendra Chahal, the Royals exhibit a balanced and potent squad. On the other hand, the Titans began their campaign with a promising victory over the Mumbai Indians. However, consecutive defeats against the Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants have halted their momentum, revealing vulnerabilities within the team.
Struggles with form and injury concerns, notably for key players like Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan, have added to their challenges. Despite early breakthroughs by Umesh Yadav, the Titans’ bowling unit, including Rashid Khan and Mohit Sharma, has failed to leave a significant impact.
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Their batting lineup, too, has faltered, evident from a collapse triggered by Shubman Gill’s dismissal in their recent outing. Moreover, tactical changes, such as bringing in Kane Williamson instead of David Miller, have yet to yield the desired results for the Titans. With their batting lineup heavily reliant on Gill and Sai Sudharsan, the team faces the pressing need for collective contributions across the board.
Having faced each other five times in IPL history, Gujarat Titans have emerged victorious in four encounters, indicating their historical advantage over the Royals. However, as the two sides prepare to clash once more, the Royals’ current form and momentum could pose a formidable challenge for the Titans.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Sandeep Sharma’s absence in the last couple of matches due to an undisclosed niggle has been a concern for Rajasthan Royals. Shane Bond, the team’s bowling coach, hinted that Sandeep might miss the upcoming match as well but assured fans that he isn’t far from returning to action. Additionally, Bond shared that Navdeep Saini, who was undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA, is ready to rejoin the squad.
Against Gujarat Titans, the Royals will likely target Sai Sudharsan early on, leveraging their pace bowlers. Sudharsan’s vulnerability against fast bowling this season, with four dismissals at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 123.81, makes him a prime target. Moreover, Shubman Gill’s susceptibility to leg spinners presents an opportunity for Yuzvendra Chahal to exploit as well.
Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Nandre Burger, Yuzvendra Chahal
Gujarat Titans (GT)
the Royals might continue to miss the services of David Miller and Wriddhiman Saha, who have been nursing niggles. Their participation in the upcoming match remains uncertain. For the Titans, Spencer Johnson could prove effective against Yashasvi Jaiswal, given the latter’s struggles against left-arm pace. Additionally, Rashid Khan’s prowess against Jos Buttler and Shimron Hetmyer makes him a key asset for the Titans, having dismissed them thrice each in previous encounters.
Probable XI: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Kane Williamson, Sharath BR (wk), Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Umesh Yadav, Spencer Johnson, Darshan Nalkande. [Impact sub: Mohit Sharma].
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Jos Butler (c), Sanju Samson, Shubman Gill (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, Nandre Burger
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Jos Butler, Sanju Samson, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Riyan Parag (c), Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, Nandre Burger, Mohit Sharma
