Ahead of the much-anticipated clash between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans in the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), cricket legends Brian Lara and Ambati Rayudu offered contrasting predictions, setting the stage for an exciting battle.
Lara Backs In-Form Royals
Former West Indies batsman Brian Lara, who previously coached the Sunrisers Hyderabad, threw his weight behind the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals. Highlighting their dominant start to the tournament, Lara praised the team’s well-rounded performance.
“Rajasthan Royals are definitely the standout team for me,” stated Lara on Star Sports Cricket Live. “They’ve got all their bases covered. They’re playing some fantastic cricket and are the only unbeaten team so far. It’s hard to see Gujarat Titans overcoming them tomorrow.”
The Royals have indeed enjoyed a dream run in IPL 2024. Currently, they lead the points table with an unblemished record of four wins. Their batting has been a key factor, with skipper Sanju Samson leading from the front with 178 runs, including two fifties. Additionally, Jos Buttler returned to form with a match-winning century against Royal Challengers Bangalore, while Riyan Parag has impressed with two unbeaten half-centuries, amassing 185 runs.
Rayudu Believes Titans Can End Royals’ Streak
However, former India batsman Ambati Rayudu offered a different perspective. While acknowledging the Royals’ strength, Rayudu expressed his faith in the Gujarat Titans’ ability to challenge their dominance.
“Gujarat Titans are a strong team, and they’ve handled themselves well so far,” Rayudu said on the same show. “A couple of losses shouldn’t affect their squad or their mentality. I believe they’ll bounce back strong. Purely based on the law of averages, I think Gujarat Titans have a good chance to upset Rajasthan Royals.”
The Titans have had a mixed bag of results, winning two and losing three matches out of their first five encounters. While they haven’t been as consistent as the Royals, Rayudu believes they possess the capability to cause an upset.
Titans Seek Redemption After Batting Woes
The Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans will be eager to avoid a third consecutive defeat. Their batting performance against Lucknow Super Giants was a concern, and they’ll need significant improvement to counter the Royals’ bowling attack. Gill, however, has been in decent form, scoring 183 runs with a strike rate close to 147. His opening partner, B Sai Sudharsan, has shown promise but is yet to convert his starts into a fifty.
The Titans’ bowling attack, spearheaded by veterans Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav, has been a bright spot. However, their performance against the Punjab Kings batting duo of Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma was a wake-up call. The spin trio of Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad will also need to step up and deliver impactful performances.
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