After the exciting league stage of the IPL 2022 came to an end, we found out the top four teams which will participate in the playoffs. The first qualifier match will see top-ranked Gujarat Titans (GT), taking on second spot holders Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on May 24, 2022.
After finishing as the top two ranked teams on the IPL 2022 points table, GT and RR will have two chances to make it into the finals of the tournament. The winner of this qualifier will go straight into the finals, while the loser will get one more opportunity when they play the winner of the Eliminator match in the second qualifier.
But since the talk is about the first qualifier match, both Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals are coming into this match with good form and momentum behind them.
And keeping this in mind, here is the COC Predicted Playing XIs for the first qualifier match of GT v RR.
GUJARAT TITANS
Gujarat Titans have both played well and had luck on their side as they finished on the no.1 spot in IPL 2022 points table with 20 points to their name. Though they lost to RCB in their final league match, GT is riding on confidence and self-belief that they can win from any position.
Hardik Pandya has captained the side very well and has been impressive with the bat and even with the ball as well. Shubman Gill had started the tournament well with the bat, but his strike-rate issues and form tapered towards the end.
However, these were offset by Wriddhiman Saha who rescued their top order with some brilliant hitting in powerplays. Matthew Wade has done nothing of note in the IPL 2022, but they need him to come good after investing so much time in him.
David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, and Rashid Khan have been excellent with the bat down the order, scoring runs at a quick rate and winning matches from impossible situations. Rashid Khan might not have picked many wickets (18) in this IPL, but his economy of 6.94 in middle overs has been a boon.
He has been well supported by R Sai Kishore in the last few matches and the lad can bat as well.
GT needs to pick between Alzarri Joseph and Lockie Ferguson as their speed merchant, while Mohammad Shami and Yash Dayal pick themselves.
RAJASTHAN ROYALS
It cannot be a better tribute to their late mentor Shane Warne, that Rajasthan Royals have made it into the playoffs and have the chance to win the first qualifier and make it into the final.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has found a new gear in his batting and has taken advantage of powerplay nicely. Jos Buttler has gone off the boil in the second half of the tournament, despite amassing over 600 runs this season with 3 centuries and 3 fifties to his name.
Sanju Samson, Devdutt Padikkal, and Shimron Hetmyer have been the backbone of the RR batting line up with some good knocks sprinkled by Riyan Parag in a couple of matches. However, the surprise performer with the bat has been R Ashwin, who has batted at no.3 and scored runs, and finished the match as well against CSK.
He and Yuzvendra Chahal have bowled well in tandem, both picking wickets and keeping the runs down. Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, and Obed McCoy will be up against a fiery and capable GT-hitting lineup and will need to be at their best.
GT COC Predicted Playing XI:
Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Matthew Wade, Hardik Pandya (C), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Shami, Yash Dayal
RR COC Predicted Playing XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C-WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Obed McCoy
