FANTASY PREVIEW
Follow UsIt is that time of the year – the Qualifiers – where the hype around the team starts to grow in leaps and bounds. We now finally know the two teams that will play the Qualifier, the Gujarat Titans will lock horns with one of the pre-tournament favourites, Rajasthan Royals.
The Royals have had a perfect tournament thus far, considering how tosses have not been in their favour. And the Titans have braved against all odds to top the IPL 2022 table. In the previous clash between the two sides, it was the Titans who came on top and they might have a slightly mental edge over the Royals due to that.
But who will come out on top of this encounter in a completely new venue – the Eden Gardens?
Ground Details and Team Combination
Not Wankhede, not the Dr. DY Patil Stadium, the Brabourne Stadium or the NCA Stadium in Pune. We are here at the Eden Gardens, for the first time this season. In fact, for the first time in the IPL in a long time. So, what to expect from the venue? It is going to be spin-friendly or pace-friendly or is it going to evade both and be batter-friendly?
In T20s since 2020, 325 wickets have fallen at the venue, with 174 of those wickets being taken by pacers, averaging just 22.9. But a pattern that has been seen over and again at the venue, is how the spinners play out. At the Eden Gardens, the spinners have accounted for 151 wickets, averaging just 22.3, showing how it is venue that has value for both pacers and spinners.
Two out of the last three matches at the venue have been high-scoring encounters, which might be the trend come this Tuesday when Rajasthan take on Gujarat in Qualifier 1.
Team Suggestion
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captain Selection
Criclytics predicts Rashid to pick 2-3 wickets against Rajasthan
X-factors
While it might be the clash of the titans, there is one name that has gone under the radar: Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal, since his return to the Royals setup, has been a player to watch out for, including scores of 59, 41, 19 and 68 in his last four encounters this season. Against the Super Kings, in a tough situation it was the left-hander who gave the Royals a sublime start. So, expect the young Mumbai opener to shine in this clash against Gujarat.
Criclytics predicts Jaiswal to score between 38-58 runs in the clash against Gujarat
Another player that has gone under the radar has been Rajasthan’s Ravichandran Ashwin. Like a swiss army knife, the all-rounder has contributed for the Royals’ success, both with the bat and the ball. After being taken apart by Moeen in the first over, the off-spinner came sharply back, picking up a wicket and ending with figures of 1/28. But it is with the bat that Ashwin has been brutal, with scores of 40*, 10* and 50 in his last three innings.
Criclytics predicts Ashwin to score 7-11 runs and pick up 0-1 wicket against Gujarat
To complete the set, we have Wriddhiman Saha as the third X-factor player. Saha’s IPL record this season is unbelievable and his numbers in the powerplay, reflects his attacking nature with the bat. Barring the one failure, 5 against the Lucknow Super Giants, Saha has given consistently good starts for the Titans, with scores of 31, 67*, 55 and 21 in the other four games. While it might be tough against the Royals, you can not just count out Saha and his exploits with the bat.
Criclytics predicts Saha to score 37-55 runs against Rajasthan
Probable XIs
Rajasthan Royals - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Obed McCoy.
Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Matthew Wade, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, R Sai Kishore, Mohammad Shami, Yash Dayal
