Holders GT Anticipate Wriggle Leeway at the Apex

During the press conference on Thursday (May 4), David Miller made a lighthearted comment about their ability to win despite the pressure of being defending champions.

This statement perfectly encapsulates their journey from underdogs to champions in the previous season.

This year, they have once again defied expectations and sit at the top of the points table, with the chance to extend their lead with a win.

Such a lead would be invaluable in a season as closely contested as this one, as it would allow them to avoid getting involved in a chaotic scramble for a playoff spot.

Their opponents, the Rajasthan Royals, are also in a position to take the top spot, setting the stage for what could be an exciting match.

Both teams have shown impressive form this season, with RR winning four of their first five matches, while GT have three wins from five.

However, both sides have also displayed some weaknesses that their opponents could exploit.

One key area where GT could dominate is during the middle-overs when RR tends to slow down.

Meanwhile, GT has had some individual performance issues, with Saha struggling in the PowerPlay and Hardik Pandya’s batting form not at its best.

Despite these challenges, both teams have demonstrated their ability to perform well, with six and five wins respectively, and excellent net run rates.

They will be hoping to overcome their flaws in what is sure to be an exciting and pivotal match.

The match between RR and GT will be held on May 5, 2023, at 7.30 PM IST, at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur.

The conditions at the venue have been variable, with previous matches being played on both slow and fast pitches.

Both teams will be hoping for a pitch that will allow them to score plenty of runs.

Also Read:

How to Calculate Projected Score in Cricket

Indian National Cricket Team

Cricket Match Prediction Formula

T20 Ranking 2023 Man

इंडिया नॅशनल क्रिकेट टीम

While GT won all three matches against RR in the previous season, RR has already scored a victory over GT this year in Ahmedabad.

Team Watch:

Rajasthan Royals have reported no new injuries or unavailability for the upcoming match.

Trent Boult has been particularly effective against GT’s opener Wriddhiman Saha, dismissing him three times in 24 balls and conceding just 22 runs.

In their last home game, Kuldip Yadav was used as an impact sub in the absence of Boult, but it is likely that Boult will return for this fixture.

Chahal will be key for RR in the middle-overs against GT skipper Hardik Pandya, who has been batting at one-drop lately.

Ashwin can tie down the left-handed David Miller, who struggles to score against him.

For Gujarat Titans, Joshua Little may be playing his last game of the season before joining the national squad for the ODI series against Bangladesh in England.

Mohammed Shami will be key in denying RR the chance to lay the PowerPlay platform through Jos Buttler, as he has the most wickets in the PowerPlay this season (12), four more than the next best Mohammed Siraj.

Buttler has scored modest numbers against Shami, with 79 off 62 balls at a strike rate of 127.42.

Shami has also dismissed him twice, including in the reverse fixture last month for a five-ball duck.

Shami is also the man for GT to deal with RR’s finisher Shimron Hetmyer.

Rashid Khan will be GT’s go-to bowler for Sanju Samson, who scores at a strike rate of 186.21 and 156.67 against Shami and Hardik Pandya.

Probable XI for Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Jason Holder, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma.

Probable XI for Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha, Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, Joshua Little, Mohammed Shami.

Fun facts:

• Shami, the leading wicket-taker this season, has picked 18 wickets in 13 outings against RR.
• Saha has struggled against left-arm pacers this season – scoring 42 off 30 balls faced and getting out thrice.
• Jaipur has been the spinners’ ally in the two matches so far – they have picked 9 wickets in 33 overs at a strike rate of 22 and economy rate of 7.72. Pacers meanwhile have 11 wickets in 47 overs at a strike rate of 25.63 and economy rate of 8.47.