After two months of more than 70 exciting games, we are now set for the final of the IPL 2022 which will be played between newcomers Gujarat Titans and winners of the inaugural edition, the Rajasthan Royals. The Hardik Pandya-led side topped the points table at the end of the league stage, before defeating the Royals in Qualifier 1. The Royals, meanwhile, made the most of their second chance of making the final by defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore in Qualifier 2.
Both the teams have a strong squad, a reason why they have made it to the last game of the season. The Titans, however, will have their confidence boosted because of the home support factor. They will be playing the game at their home ground – the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad – the largest cricket ground in the world by capacity. Another reason why the Titans will be high on confidence is the fact that they beat Rajasthan in both the games this season.
If the Royals win, this will not just be their first win in 14 seasons, but also be a befitting tribute to their trophy-winning captain Shane Warne, who passed away in March. They boast of this season’s Orange Cap owner, Jos Buttler in their ranks. Along with Buttler, the presence of this season’s joint-highest wicket-taker Yuzvendra Chahal also makes RR a powerful team.
The Qualifier 2 played in Ahmedabad was a one-sided game which offered a lot of help to the quicks. The captain winning the toss is likely to bowl first on this wicket.
Predicted XI
Gujarat Titans
Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Matthew Wade, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami.
Rajasthan Royals
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Obed McCoy.
Image credit: IPL
