Indian T20 League 2022: Final – Gujarat vs Rajasthan: Preview, Match Details, Pitch Conditions and Updates

Gujarat and Rajasthan will lock horns for the Indian T20 League 2022 trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 29. Both teams are fittingly in the finals as they were the top two sides of the league stage. They have played each other twice in the season. Once in the league stage and once in the Qualifier 1. The Pink Brigade lost on both occasions. However, this counts for little going into the final. The Hardik Pandya-led side will get support from the home crowd.

Team News

Gujarat

The Indian T20 League debutants reached the finals after beating the 2008-winners in Kolkata on May 24. The team has had enough rest ahead of the final. Talking about the Gujarat-based franchise, the team have seen some inconsistent performances from the top three batters, them being Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, and Matthew Wade. The team would want them to lift their game in such a crucial game.

On the other hand, their middle-order batting and bowling departments have been their strongest suits. The likes of skipper Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, etc have risen to the occasion whenever during several pressure situations. Meanwhile, they would like to field an unchanged playing XI.

Key Players

Hardik Pandya: The skipper of the team has led from the front with 453 runs in 14 games. His strike rate has dropped from high 150s to early 130s as he has been batting higher in the order. The right-hander could be a vital player for his team.

Mohammed Shami: The right-arm pacer has been effective with the new ball this year. He has picked 19 wickets in 15 games. He could be the key to success for the team early while bowling

Probable Playing XI: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Matthew Wade, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal

Team News

Rajasthan

The Sanju Samson-led side lost to Gujarat, but still managed to qualify for the final by brushing aside Bangalore in the Qualifier 2. Prasidh Krishna, who was hammered by David Miller in Qualifier 1, made a strong comeback with three wickets against the Faf du Plessis-led side. Jos Buttler, who lost his form in the second half of the league stage, has made a comeback in the playoffs with scores of 89 and 106*.

Talking about the other players, the team has benefitted from the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Yuzvendra Chahal. The contributions of these players have taken the team one step closer to their second title.

Key Players

Jos Buttler: The Englishman has scored 824 runs in 16 games with four hundreds and as many fifties. He is the second overseas player after David Warner to get past the 800-run mark in a season. The right-hander would be looking to put another match-winning performance.

Yuzvendra Chahal: The leggie is the joint highest wicket-taker in the competition with 26 wickets. Currently, he is levelled with Bangalore’s Wanindu Hasaranga, who won’t be participating in the tournament as his side is now eliminated. Chahal would like to pick a few key wickets to win the title for his side.

Probable Playing XI: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna

Match Details

Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Date: May 29, 2022

Time: 8 PM IST

Broadcasting details: Star Sports and Disney + Hotstar

Pitch Report

The Qualifier 2 game shall witness the wrath of the pacers of Bangalore and Rajasthan, who can hit the pitch hard getting extra bounce. However, the pitch might have eased after 38 overs of the game. This might lead to a flat track for the title clash and thus, the final could be a high-scoring affair.