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The Gujarat Titans have the distinction of becoming the first official team of IPL 2022 to cruise through the playoffs. Titans showed their class and outplayed the Lucknow Super Giants in all departments of the game yesterday. They bundled out the Lucknow side for a paltry 82 runs and crossed the line by 62 runs. Shubman Gill batted heroically for 63 on a difficult track after Rashid Khan ended LSG’s hopes by scalping 4 for 24.
RR prepare to face DC
The focus has now shifted to Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai, for another showpiece between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals. Both sides are eager to snatch victory in tonight’s encounter to cement their place in the playoffs.
The Delhi Capitals have played fabulous cricket, but in patches, consistency has been missing. Therefore, DC have yet to win two consecutive IPL matches this season. The team has to break the jinx and needs to win all the remaining three matches if they want to go ahead and qualify for the playoffs stage without any mathematical calculations. So from here on, all the matches are do or die for the DC. The franchise has lost six of its seven games played outside Barbourne.
The Rajasthan Royals are breathing easily at the moment. RR regained a lot of confidence after beating Punjab Kings by 6 wickets in their last outing. Shimron Hetmyer, an important member of the RR, will not be available for the time being. He flew home to remain present during the birth of his child.
Both sides have a battery of fast bowlers, but they have not clicked fully. The DC Pacers have the worst statistics taking 10 wickets in the powerplay in 53 overs.
All the attention is being paid to the spinners when these two franchises meet against each other with four spinners of different styles, such as a leg spinner, an off spinner, a left-arm wrist spinner and a left-arm orthodox spinner. Kuldeep and Chahal are running neck and neck for the purple cap.
RR batters have performed admirably against spinners in this IPL edition, losing only 11 wickets while scoring the highest average (53.73) with a run rate of (8.86).
Important facts
Both teams are gearing up for tonight’s match. DC will take on the field with one aim: to win to stay in the tournament; otherwise, the exit doors are open. RR will go all out to solidify their position and advance to the playoffs. Surely, an exciting battle is on the cards tonight.
Wasim Haque
