Gujarat Titans v Rajasthan Royals
Sunday, May 29, 2022 at Ahmedabad.
It’s here! The final of this fabulous competition in 2022 promises to be the best game of the lot and, buoyed by recommending the winners (Evens), top batter (9/4) and player of the match winner (11/2) in Friday’s qualifying play-off, we’re going to try make some more profitable predictions!
The Titans have been the best team in the tournament. Rajasthan have been the second-best team in the tournament. Therefore, I believe this is the right final, showcasing how consistency is key in this format, just like in any other.
Gujarat, ably led by Hardik Pandya, have surprised many with just how good they have been. They won 10 of their 14 group games.
They can also tackle the decider safe in the knowledge that they are 2-2 against Sunday’s opponents in the competition this season.
First up, they enjoyed a comfortable 37-run win when the teams met on April 14. 87 in 52 balls by Pandya was the root cause of that success but do not underestimate the contributions of Abhinav Manohar’s 43 in 28 deliveries, or a quickfire 31 not out in 14 by David Miller.
The teams met again in the first qualifying play-off last Tuesday, with the Titans heading ‘route one’ to the final, after a seven wicket win with three balls to spare.
Again, Miller was seen to good effect with 68 not out off 38 balls, Panyda scoring 40 not out off 27, in an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 106, to wrap up victory.
Buttler had preceded that with yet another outstanding knock of 89 off 56 for Rajasthan and he goes into the final brimming with confidence after a fourth century of the campaign in Friday night’s defeat of Royal Challengers Bangalore, that saw his team through.
The Royals will again look to the Buttler to produce another great knock for them. If he fails, then his team could be in trouble but he is so consistent that it is hard to sensibly look elsewhere for Rajasthan’s top batter. He is favourite because he is so good and it is recommended that you take the 7/2 with Sky Bet, which is the best price on offer.
I’ve mentioned Rashid Khan several times in these previews and, although he didn’t take a wicket in Tuesday’s win, he kept RR to just 15 runs from his four overs. That is a sensational effort and he looks a bet to be his team’s top bowler at 11/4 with Coral, Betfair, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power.
He’s also 11/1 with Betway to be the Player of the Match and this is worth a small stakes play, as he is capable of picking up two or three wickets as well. If Rajasthan prove good enough then Buttler would be a likely candidate for this award again. He is generally available at 6/1 and I’d definitely not put you off that.
However, I think that, while he is my pick for his team’s top scorer, he will end up on the losing side. Take the 10/11 about Gujarat Titans seeing this through and becoming champions at the first attempt.
The other bet that interests me is to take a second player of the match punt and put Hardik Pandya on your betting slip. He is capable of making significant contributions with both bat and ball and 11/1 about him with Betway also looks a bit of value.
It’s been great fun previewing these games for you and we made some good profit. Wishing you an enjoyable and profitable final!