*RR VS GT MATCH 48 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
2022 saw a one sided affair to this rivalry. While RR came close to the defending champions, they were never quite able to get past them. But 2023 differentiated this trend or a pattern that was developing. The Sanju led Rajasthan were finally able to break the jinx and win against the Hardik led side and tonight with reputation and points at stake, GT would look to avenge their loss. The last years finalist meet again tonight with hope of igniting another well drawn and competitive game of T20 Cricket as the fire in this outrageous tournament has only begun.
*GT PROBABLE XI:*
Shubman Gill, Wridhiman Saha(wk), Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya(c), David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Joshua Little, Mohammad Shami, Noor Ahmed
Shami was breathing fire the other night. Not just that night, but otherwise in this season as well, he has been in staggering form, specially with the new ball attacking the stumps and bringing his team glory. He has been successful in damaging oppositions with the upfront and holds an edge over the Englishmen Buttler too. Tonight presents him with an opportunity to dismiss him for the third time.
Rashid Khan, GT’s ace bowler and one of the finest leg spinners going around, enjoys a good season more often than not. However, he would be extremely upsetted with his stocks from the other day where he conceded runs at 13.5 an over, ultimately giving away 54 runs- failing to contain. His impressive numbers against Sanju Samson however will keep the Afghani in good stead, with the former striking at under 120. With Sanju looking to stand up in a more formidable fashion for his team and Rashid looking to forget his unforgettable outing, I’m interested to see how this rivalry pans out.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Mohit Sharma likely to come in as the impact substitute if GT bowl second. If they bat second, expect one of Manohar or Gill to play the same role.
*RR PROBABLE XI:*
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson(c)(wk), Shimron Hemtyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravi Ashwin, Jason Holder, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal
Watch out for Yuzi Chahal in this game. Though he has been poor at home(Jaipur) conceding at over 10 per over but the veteran leggie would be fancing himself against this side. He holds a stependous record vs GT skipper, Hardik Pandya, with the latter finding it tough to smash him like he smashed R Ashwin.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is living a dream. He is the second highest run getter of this season and has made batting look like a cake walk. He would be riding high on confidence after his breathtaking hundred vs MI, this knock opened one other door to his already intentful batting- that of finishing jobs with ease. Jaiswal was sublime while taking on some of MI’s premier bowlers as well and with another two points left to capture, RR would bank on the youngster to provide them with a solid base once again. Him and his partner Buttler, going strong together is one of the most beautiful sites that this game can give to us.
*IMPACT PLAYER:*
Kuldip Yadav, the left armer could come in as the impact sub with RR bowling second. RR could also look at Murugan Ashwin to partner Ash-Yuzi because of the extra help that Jaipur gives to the spinners. While batting, Padikkal or Parag could come in.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR GT:*
Highest run getter- Shubman Gill/Abhinav Manohar
Highest wicket taker- Rashid Khan/Mohammad Shami
*FOR RR:*
Highest run getter- Yashasvi Jaiswal/Devdutt Padikkal
Highest wicket taker- Yuzi Chahal/Ravi Ashwin
*FOR THE GAME:*
RR to win this game