Heading into the final match of this IPL season, two of the most complete units this year will face off in a potential blockbuster after already going up against each other in the first semi-final. With Royal Challengers Bengaluru having had complete control in that match, Gujarat are looking to make this a much closer affair in hopes of lifting the trophy. Looking at last season’s defending champions in RCB, it is quite amazing to see how they have replicated their performance this year as well, and were able to look even stronger. In good hands with captain Rajat Patidar leading the side, he will look to continue batting at a very top-notch level in clutch situations.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat Titans have had another dominant season and are now heading into their 2nd IPL final in just 5 years since being added. A unit that barely has any weaknesses around either, it makes them very scary against team and a group that can come at opponents in any different ways.
Despite having a small slip-up during the middle of this season, they learned from last year’s mistakes and have made a major difference in their team selection during these tougher periods. As this unit is being led by Shubhman Gill for a 3rd season, he’s been an amazing motivator for many key players and continues keeping the locker room intact when things may seem a little out of sync.
Gujarat Titans Top Order Will Continue Their Magical Season In A Strong Way
When talking about the Titans, one big thing to mention is their top three batters and how their production has really helped this unit create big totals. Led by Shubhman Gill up-top from the left-end, he can deliver strong blows with strength and power, while also maintaining a nice balance of clinical shots. Someone whose been very consistent in his form and scored 722 runs this season, there is potential that his 2nd orange cap could be received after this season. Knowing that he holds his wicket for a while and plays like a true leader, Sai Sudharsan is heavily learning from him as a left-handed star and makes a major difference with creating a mismatch on the opposite side.
While he doesn’t go for the bigger shots like Gill, Sudharshan has still been able to manage his strike rates and develop a huge knack for hitting consecutive boundaries. Scoring 710 runs this year and having a 47.33 average, his impact will be needed tommorow in order to develop an early dominance.
With that being said, the greatest IPL finisher in Jos Buttler, will come down at 3 and has produced another season where he scored over 500 runs. A much more stronger hitter that can really hit rockets from the first ball, it leads to Nishant Sindhu who is finally looking to make moves after several matches of struggle. Knowing that Washington Sundar is a great middle-order option that brings a unique style of hitting, both Glenn Phillips, 130+ runs, and Jason Holder will be looked upon as the finishers.
RCB Provide Power From Every Number
For RCB, it is quite different as they are way more top-to-bottom heavy and can get runs from almost every batsman at a consistent rate. With the great Virat Kohli opening once again after putting together a 600+ run season, he’s been very important to create a starting frame for this unit, while helping them through the powerplay. Not only do his shots look very delightful, but RCB can always count on him for having a massive impact in helping other batsmen develop themselves. As Phil Salt might not be available to bat tomorrow for this unit, Venkatesh Iyer will probably open and create another unique combination that no one has seen all season long.
Someone who can score both fours and sixes, it then opens up room for Devdutt Paddikal, as he’s scored 400+ runs once again and looks like his former self. Knowing that this leads to them already having so much firepower early on, Rajat Patidar then enters at two-down and always makes his presence felt when it’s a big situation. Having scored a career high of 480+ runs and having 4 half-centuries, there has been a lot of noise about him playing for India, while also being a potential future captain. With that said, Krunal Pandya is another key feature as a left-handed piece, as he scored a 40+ knock last match and is a huge stepping stone to RCB’s two big hitters in Tim David and Romario Shepard.
Gujarat Titans Bowling Attack Is Full Of Elite-Level Talent
On the Gujarat side of bowling, it’s very clear that they have been blessed with a multitude of spinners and pacers who made a difference for them throughout the season. With Kagiso Rabada being their main pacer so far this season, he is currently the purple cap holder with 28 wickets and an amazing ability to keep his economy low during death overs.
Having tremendous speed on the ball and clear ability to develop yorkers, it makes it scary for most others even within the powerplay times. Knowing that he is a major piece from the right end, so is Mohammed Siraj, who’s taken a little bit off a step-down from last season, but still been a true wicket-taking threat with 18 this year.
As Jason Holder has continued making a late season suprise and been a very important add for four overs every match, he took two more wickets in the last semi-final and is now at 17 on the season. With many saying he was a gamble at the beginning of the season, this has ended up being a very positive one as he continues using his height to create elevation on his deliveries.
Knowing that Prasidh Krishna will be their fourth option, it just goes to show how much depth the Titans have, and that ends up making a major difference. Their main spinner is Rashid Khan whose also nearly at 20 wickets this year, and proves that his orthodox bowling form is working again.
RCB Have Their Own Bowling Firepower
Meanwhile, RCB have developed a great pace and spin attack of their own and continued using that to build momentum throughout. Led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 26 wickets, he has continued being a key right-handed threat whose abilites to find the middle of the stumps have made all the difference. Despite having a slight regression over the past couple seasons, his massive comeback helped really change perspective of how many batters view him now. Being the main piece from the right, Josh Hazlewood, 13 wickets, will be another key right-handed threat that has only lost once in 8 finals throughout his career. With Rasikh Salman Dar, 16 wickets, being their breakout right-handed piece, Jacob Duffy will be the other big name to look out for, while Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma will be their two spin options.
Final Predictions
As the Gujarat Titans will be playing at home the crowd will tremendously be in their favor in Narendra Modi Stadium of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. With that being said, since it’s a batter-friendly pitch, whoever bats first has an advantage. Therefore, the final predictions are that either RCB will win by 25-30 runs if batting first or Gujarat will win by 15-20 runs if batting first.
Final Prediction:
Gujarat Titans to win by 15-20 runs if batting first, while Royal Challengers Bangalore to win by 25-30 runs if batting first.
Key Players
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Josh Hazlewood: A key pacer that has yet to ever lose an IPL final in his career and provides amazing pace
Virat Kohli: Strong batsmen and leader that continues being the heart and soul of this franchise
Rajat Patidar: Very good captain and finisher who will help this team come out on top from any situation
Tim David: Powerful hitter with a knack for scoring fast
Gujarat Titans
Shubhman Gill: Captain and very consistent top order batsmen with elite balance
Kagiso Rabada: Top wicket taker whose impossible to play against when under pressure
Jason Holder: Key addition towards the end of the season that has brought his firepower with bat and ball
Sai Sudharsan: Opener that has developed a great left-handed stance
Also Read: RCB vs GT: Rajat Patidar’s 33-Ball Knock That Broke Playoffs