IPL 2023 MATCH PREVIEW: RR vs GT

Rajasthan Royals (RR) will host Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 48th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on Friday, May 5 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.

Gujarat Titans have been in sensational form this season, winning six of their nine matches and establishing themselves as the team to beat in the tournament. One of the things that sets them apart from the rest of the teams is the way that every player on the team has stepped up and delivered match-winning performances.

Whether it's the brilliant bowling exhibition of Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, and Rashid Khan or the explosive batting of Shubman Gill, David Miller, and Rahul Tewatia, the Titans have shown that they have a deep and talented roster that can get the job done and it’s no wonder that they've been the most successful team in the season so far.

Though they might have been disappointed by their recent close defeat against the Delhi Capitals, they're not letting it get them down. With first place in the points table still within their grasp, the Titans will be looking to get back on the winning track.

As for Rajasthan Royals, they have had a topsy-turvy season so far, with five wins and four losses in their nine games. They're currently in fourth place on the points table, and a win in this match could see them climb to the top. However, a tough loss to the Mumbai Indians in their last match may have dented their confidence.

This season, both these teams will face off for the second time, having previously met earlier in the year. Rajasthan Royals came out on top in their last encounter, winning by three wickets. Heading into this game, while the hosts will be looking to build on their dominance, the Gujarat Titans will be eager to avenge their previous defeat and secure a much-needed win.

Probable Playing XIs

Rajasthan Royals:

Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c&wk;), Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma.

Gujarat Titans:

Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), Vijay Shankar, Abhinav Manohar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma

Pitch Report

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium pitch has proved to be a batter’s paradise, as seen in the last match where Rajasthan breached the 200-run mark with ease. It's likely we'll see another high-scoring game here.

While pacers can expect some favourable conditions, the same cannot be said for spinners who may struggle to make an impact on this pitch. The team that wins the toss will look to chase.

Pitch Stats [IPL 2023]

Average 1st inning score: 177
Average 2nd inning score: 157
Matches won by the team batting 1st: 2
Matches won by the team batting 2nd: 0

Head-to-Head

The head-to-head record between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans stands at 3-1 in favour of Gujarat Titans. They have played against each other four times in the past year, with Gujarat Titans winning three of those matches, including the final of IPL 2022.

Form Update ( last 5 innings )

Fantasy Picks

Yashasvi Jaiswal: Since his dazzling century against the Mumbai Indians in the last match, Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in the headlines for all the right reasons. He has been one of the standout performers for Rajasthan Royals this season, scoring 428 runs in nine matches at an average of 47.56 and a strike rate of 159.70.

Shimron Hetmyer: He started the season off strongly, but his form has taken a significant hit in the last four matches, where he has only managed to score single-digit scores. However, given his strong record against both pace and spin, he will be hoping to turn things around in the upcoming match. So far this season, he has scored 204 runs in nine matches, with an average of 40.80 and a strike rate of 154.55.

Shubman Gill: With 339 runs in nine innings, Shubman Gill has been a vital contributor to the Gujarat Titans' success in the tournament. His consistent performance at the top of the order make him a formidable player to watch out for in the upcoming match.

Mohammed Shami: He is a must-have in your fantasy team, given his breathtaking form in the tournament. The Bengal pacer has been a menace for the opposition, sending shivers down the batter’s spine with his deadly bowling, especially with the new ball. In the last match against Delhi Capitals, he was in devastating form, taking four wickets for just 11 runs in his four overs. Overall, he leads the wicket-takers' chart with 17 scalps in nine matches at an economy rate of less than eight.

Trent Boult: He is another pacer who, like Mohammed Shami, is currently in good form and enjoys taking wickets early on in the game. Despite his back-to-back stellar performances, his wicket column doesn't fully reflect his impact in the games for the Royals. In seven matches, he has taken 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.36. Heading into this game, he will be eager to continue his impactful performances with the new ball and add more wickets to his tally.

Fantasy XI