And then there were two. With just one match left in what could become an entertaining game of IPL 2022 with the two best teams of the league stage – Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals – set to battle it out for the last time for Silverware in the summit clash on Sunday.
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Two teams but many battles. How each team plans and negotiates the threat posed by the in-form cast to the other will determine who has the last laugh.
Here we take a look at the major battles that should be monitored
Jos Buttler vs New Ball (Pacer)
Butler, the season’s premier run-getter, likes to spend his time before exploding. However, when he is in the mood, such as during the second qualifier against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he will start punishing with the word go. So what is the way to stop it? Get him out as soon as possible. And in this the work of new bowlers becomes important. GT will start their attack with Mohammed Shami/Yash Dayal/Alzarri Joseph. He is unforgiving against speed though. If he looks at the fast bowlers, GT has a solid weapon in Rashid Khan, but Buttler can choose to play him safely. So getting Butler out early will be crucial as RR is heavily dependent on him.
Shimron Hetmyer vs Rashid Khan
Hetmyer has been the designated finisher for RR. He usually bats at No 5 and unless RR has a top-order collapse, he may not be needed before middle or, at best, in the slog overs. Rashid can bowl in the powerplay, middle overs as well as death overs. He has an impressive economy rate of 6.73 and has 18 wickets – the second most for GT after Shami (19). Keep him for the death overs and GT could put a dent in RR’s late flourishing.
Trent Boult vs Shubman Gill
Boult has the ability to strike with the new ball. This is why RR went to the mega auction for him and this is what he has done for him. Gill is not your power-hitter who will chase the bowlers from the very first ball. However, he is a batsman in classical mode who can accelerate when needed. RR could cause some early trouble for GT, should Boult get rid of Gill early on, who might otherwise open the innings while giving the big-hitters around him the freedom to flourish.
David Miller vs Ravichandran Ashwin
Again, a slow starter but can go away in the blink of an eye. The season has been a revelation for Miller, who has emerged as a major performer for GT, winning him close matches with his dependable batting. Ravichandran Ashwin has a knack for troubling left-handers and RR skipper Sanju Samson can pit him against Miller for an early dismissal. Negotiating Ashwin’s moves will be a big challenge for South Africa.
Hardik Pandya vs Yuzvendra Chahal
Pandya has shown a different side in this season. He can build an innings by settling that has helped him amass 453 runs in 14 innings – the highest ever for GT this season. Known for setting up batsmen, it will be an interesting battle to watch when Chahal, an attacking legspinner, comes to lure in big shots against Pandya and starts his innings by slipping in a googly or a wide delivery. ends in itself. , Or Pandya is catching Chahal’s plans and smacking him around the park.
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