Last Updated on 2 weeks by Charbel Coorey
GT vs RR IPL 2022 Final Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | GT vs RR Dream11 Prediction Today | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals Key Players | Ahmedabad Pitch Report
After 73 matches, endless drama and countless scenarios, it all comes down to this. Tens of thousands of fans will pack Narendra Modi Stadium for an event worthy of the hype as two excellent T20 teams go head-to-head for one of limited overs’ most prestigous prizes.
Before the tournament, there was that “good T20 team” feel about the Rajasthan Royals. After years of being the ‘nearly’ team, the Royals have gone to that extra level this season, reaching their first IPL Final since their triumph in 2008. On the other side of the coin, Gujarat Titans have surprised many with their sheer brilliance despite looking short on batting firepower on paper. David Miller has had a season to remember, with his numbers and performances under pressure on a different planet compared to recent years (details here).
Earlier in the week, it was Gujarat who triumphed courtesy of that man Miller. The Royals then bounced back with a clinical takedown of RCB thanks to a cohesive bowling effort and blockbusting knock by the magnificent Jos Buttler. The possible narratives in this clash are endless given the sheer number of players who can turn the game their team’s favour in Ahmedabad, and it could come down to one or two crucial moments as seen in IPL Finals of years gone by.
For the Royals, there is the added motivation of winning for the late, great Shane Warne. The legendary leg-spinner famously led the franchise to the inaugural title in 2008, and it will be fitting if the Royals win their second trophy in his honour.
Possible Playing 11
Unless there is injury or illness, there is no obvious reason for the two finalists to change their respective XIs.
Gujarat Titans: 1. Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Matthew Wade, 4. Hardik Pandya (c), 5. David Miller, 6. Rahul Tewatia, 7. Rashid Khan, 8. R Sai Kishore, 9. Alzarri Joseph, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Yash Dayal
Rajasthan Royals: 1. Jos Buttler, 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3. Sanju Samson (c & wk), 4. Devdutt Padikkal, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Riyan Parag, 7. R Ashwin, 8. Trent Boult, 9. Prasidh Krishna, 10. Obed McCoy, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Gujarat Titans:
- Shubman Gill was looking in magnificent touch against Royals in Qualifier 1 (35 off 21 balls) before he was unfortunately run out. If he starts the same way in the Final, he is easily capable of a 50+ score.
- Gill has improved his game when batting first, but he still looks his best when batting second. He averages 26.9 batting first (888 runs) compared to 37.9 batting second (967 runs) in the IPL.
- Wriddhiman Saha has scored 312 runs in 10 innings at an average of 34.66 in IPL 2022. He has also effected 12 dismissals behind the stumps. So, can he bounce back after a duck against the Royals in Qualifier 1, where he was out to Boult?
- Hardik Pandya has been superb against the Royals this season. The GT skipper has struck scores of 87* (52) and 43* (28) against them.
- Of course, there is David Miller to watch out for. The left-hander has been reborn this season, with a clear focus on his game and backing from Hardik and GT. He has smashed 288 runs in run chases in IPL 2022 at an average of 144.00 and strike rate of 150.82, including 68* off 38 vs Royals.
- Gujarat may look to try Rashid Khan early to Jos Buttler. He has dismissed Buttler four times in 41 balls in T20s, whilst conceding just 25.
- Mohammed Shami will also be key up front. He could go around the wicket to Jaiswal and try to get him driving deliveries on the up on a pitch with some bounce. Also, Shami has dismissed Buttler twice in 47 balls in T20s (67 runs).
Rajasthan Royals:
- Jos Buttler, of course. The magnificent opener equalled Virat Kohli’s record for most IPL centuries in a single season in a brilliant knock in Qualifier 2 vs RCB. Also, after a slow start against Gujarat in Qualifier 1, he finished with 89 off 56 balls.
- Buttler also belted 54 off 24 balls against Gujarat in the league stage. He has struck an incredible 824 runs this season at an average of 58.85 and strike rate of 151.47.
- Sanju Samson has not made the big scores, but he has been effective for the most part. He has struck ten 20+ scores this season, with a total of 444 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 147.50. This includes a fluent 26-ball 47 in Qualifier 1 vs GT.
- If Yashasvi Jaiswal gets going, it will help Jos Buttler and co. settle in. He has top-scored for the Royals thrice in their past six matches, and a fast start is what the men in pink will be after.
- Obed McCoy has taken eight wickets in 58 deliveries at the death in IPL 2022. Given Gujarat are excellent in this phase (especially when chasing), McCoy will have a key role to play in limiting their impact.
- Powerplay wickets will be key for the Royals. Trent Boult dismissed Wriddhiman Saha for a duck in Qualifier 1 and has dismissed Shubman Gill once in 27 deliveries in the IPL, whilst conceding just 32.
- Yuzvendra Chahal has gone wicketless in the past two matches. However, with the big boundaries and his wicket-taking ability (26 scalps this season), he and R Ashwin will be crucial.
Other Stats and Facts
- Gujarat Titans beat Rajasthan Royals in both meetings in IPL 2022.
- Jos Buttler can set a record of the most centuries in an IPL season if he gets another today (details here).
- Rashid Khan has not taken a wicket against the Royals this season, but he has conceded just 39 runs off his eight overs.
- Prasidh Krishna, like Boult, will be key in the powerplay. He took 3/22 last game vs RCB. Can he bounce back vs GT, whom he has been wicketless and expensive against this season? (0/35 and 0/40)
- Sanju Samson has the most dismissals of any player this season – 16.
- Mohammed Shami has taken seven wickets in his past four matches vs Royals.
- Four of Yash Dayal’s 10 wickets this season have come against the Royals.
Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad Pitch Report and Weather
The Ahmedabad surface for Qualifier 2 had extra bounce in it. Expect the bowlers to focus on a good length with big square boundaries.
Faf du Plessis said RCB’s 158 was well short of par. The Royals chased down the 159 with ease.
In the Final, expect the captain who wins the toss to choose to chase. There may be movement upfront with the new ball bowling first. Also, in the case of the Royals, they will want to avoid a situation where chasing kings Gujarat bat second.
Another hot evening is forecast, with a chance of dew.
GT vs RR Dream11 Prediction IPL 2022 Final 29 May 2022
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
- Wicket-keepers: Jos Buttler, Wriddhiman Saha, Sanju Samson
- Batsmen: David Miller, Shubman Gill
- All-rounders: Hardik Pandya
- Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami
Match Prediction
This has the makings of a classic Final. The chasing team is likeliest to prevail, with the team batting first needing to aim for at least 170 to feel in the game.
In line with CricBlog’s pre-season prediction, we will back Rajasthan Royals to win the title.
