Overview
The winds of change that have swept across the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the past two seasons have completely transformed the competition’s landscape. Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, both expansion teams, reached the playoffs in 2022, with Gujarat winning the title. The other finalists were Rajasthan Royals, a franchise that had reached the playoffs just thrice in 11 seasons since winning the inaugural title in 2008.
The ongoing season has merely seen this new wave progress further. Traditional powerhouse teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings sit in the lower reaches of the table, while the much-fancied Delhi Capitals didn’t win any of their first four games.
Rajasthan and Gujarat sat first and third before the weekend’s games began, with identical 3-1 records. Rajasthan boast the most accomplished spin attack – Yuvvendra Chahal and R Ashwin, with Adam Zampa another option – while Gujarat’s pacers regularly provide early breakthroughs for Rashid Khan to capitalise on later in the innings.
Both teams have star openers in superb form, Shubman Gill for Gujarat and Jos Buttler for Rajasthan. And in Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal, they also have representatives of Indian cricket’s brave new generation. Both are also well-stocked in the finishing department, with David Miller and Rahul Tewatia to the fore for Gujarat, and Shimron Hetmyer playing some punishing knocks for Rajasthan.
They have also rehabilitated players whose best years were thought to be behind them. Mohit Sharma made a sensational, match-winning return with Gujarat, while Sandeep Sharma’s calmness was crucial in Rajasthan just about holding off a late surge from MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings.
This repeat of the 2022 final could also turn out to be a teaser for a play-off encounter later in the season.
Venue and Time
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. 7.30 PM
Mohit’s Return, Gill’s Grace, and Another Tewatia Takedown
Expected conditions and toss
The talented spin departments on both sides should enjoy the conditions in Ahmedabad, where slow bowlers have been traditionally been far more effective. Chasing sides have won 57 per cent of the games played there, with a score of around 175 usually enough to win matches. The other factor that will come into play is the heat, with the temperature around 37C at the start of the match.
Head-to-Head
Gujarat won all three of their matches last season, including the final.
Possible XIs and Impact Player Watch
Gujarat seem to have settled on their first-choice XI, with all departments in sync. The batters have made runs, the quick bowlers take wickets in the Power play, and Rashid Khan is, well, Rashid Khan, the best T20 bowler in the world. They will likely use Sai Sudharsan and Josh Little as the Impact Player, depending on whether they bowl or bat first.
Rajasthan have an equally settled combination, with match-winners right through the side. The spin department is especially potent, and Trent Boult could be set for a comeback into the XI after injury. If he doesn’t, Adam Zampa could be one of the Impact Player options.
Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Hardik Pandya (C), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Josh Little.
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (C, WK), R Ashwin, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Sen, Sandeep Sharma, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal.