Identical in many ways, Rajasthan, Gujarat set to kick-off new neighborhood rivalry in IPL

The introduction of two new teams has surfaced another neighborhood rivalry in the Indian Premier League. The cultural and geographical diversities in India bring a distinct look to every state but there are a lot of similarities between Rajasthan and Gujarat; the Thar Desert, the domination of the business class and the subtle similarities in the regional language to name a few. The IPL has just extended this trend to the cricket field. 

Both sides have made a solid start to the season, winning three out of their first four games. The comeback against Lucknow will keep Rajasthan Royals’ spirits high. Gujarat Titans’ juggernaut was pulled back by Hyderabad but they can afford to brush that off as a passing jitter. The only thing that separates the two sides on the points table is the net run-rate by virtue of which Rajasthan sit at the top of the table now. 

But the most common theme shared between them is both teams are lop-sided units with a bowling dominant hand. Clashing for the first time in IPL, it will be about who can exploit the batting frailties of the other. 

Gujarat’s willow power more at risk

While there are drawbacks in both batting line-ups, the chinks in Gujarat’s batting are far more conspicuous. Matthew Wade hasn’t clicked and David Miller has underperformed. Vijay Shankar went out of favor quite early. Sai Sudharsan, his replacement, has shown promise but a long run for him at three only shows the dearth of options in the squad.

Shubman Gill has carried their batting twice with sublime knocks against Delhi (84 off 46 balls) and Punjab (96 off 59 balls). Criticized for pedestrian strike-rate in the past IPL seasons, he has been the only one to accelerate for the Titans in the middle-overs. His strike-rate of 180 during this phase tells the tale. The rest lingers at 102.

It is also a by-product of the skipper Hardik Pandya assuming more responsibility with the bat. At four, he is clearly batting at least one spot high which has had a clear effect on his scoring rate. He averages 47 but a strike-rate of 122.6 is far from his best version as a batsman. 

The scope for any kind of inadequacy diminishes against a performing bowling arsenal like that of Rajasthan. 

The con attached with Rajasthan’s batting is the lack of batting depth. However, they have hidden those gaps with the star power of specialists with both bat and ball. Trent Boult and Prasidh Krishna have struck with the new ball every game, allowing Yuzvendra Chahal, the current Purple Cap holder to build irresistible pressure. 

With the bat, Shimron Hetmyer has prevented the opposition to get into the bottom of their shallow batting resources as well as playing impactful cameos. All these factors have allowed Rajasthan to absorb the deficiency of an all-rounder. 

Rashid the key for Titans

Rashid Khan’s four overs will be key: to both aim at the lower end of Rajasthan’s batting and cover their fifth bowler’s quota. 

Rajasthan have been in fantastic touch with the bat but all their stars have a common vulnerability - leg-spin. 

Rashid has troubled all these three batters, dismissing both Jos Buttler and Hetmyer four times each. Buttler averages only 4.5 against Rashid while Hetmyer sits at 14.5. Samson has managed to hold his fort against him (dismissed only once) but strikes at only 96. 

If Rashid builds upon these numbers, it will also provide Gujarat with the cushion to cover for the fifth bowler. Their fifth and sixth bowling option has conceded at 11.9 runs per over whilst picking only three wickets at 45.3 runs apiece. 

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Probable XIs

Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult,  Kuldeep Sen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill, Matthew Wade (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammad Shami, Darshan Nalkande 

Venue: Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

Date & Time: Apr 14, 07:30 PM IST