IPL 2022: Final – Predicted Rajasthan Royals Playing XI vs Gujarat Titans

Rajasthan Royals defeated a spirited Royal Challengers Bangalore by seven wickets in Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2022 to set up a final clash against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 29. Moreover, RR will be making their second IPL final appearance after 2008 and are one step away from reclaiming their lost glory.

The Royals will be up against an in-form Gujarat, who had handed them a thumping seven-wicket loss in the Qualifier 1 earlier this week with David Miller smashing pacer Prasidh Krishna for three sixes in the final over. As the Rajasthan Royals look to rewrite history by coming up on top in the summit clash, they would be sticking to the same combination that performed outstandingly well against RCB in Qualifier 2.

Here’s a look at Rajasthan Royals’ predicted playing XI against Gujarat Titans for the Final of IPL 2022:

Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler

After being under fire and then warming the bench in the first half, a determined Yashasvi Jaiswal made a stellar comeback in the second half scoring two half-centuries. The youngster scored a quickfire 21 runs off 13 deliveries during Qualifier 2 alongside Jos Buttler and the duo had added 61 runs for the opening stand against RCB chasing 158 on a tricky surface.

On the other hand, Jos Buttler has been the man in form this season. Not only is he sitting comfortably on top of the Orange Cap list but also turned out to be Rajasthan Royals’ saviour in the knockouts. The Englishman scored 89 in Qualifier 1 and followed it up with an unbeaten 60-ball 106 in the second Qualifier. This was Buttler’s fifth IPL century and the fourth this season.

Middle Order: Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal and Shimron Hetmyer

Skipper Sanju Samson played a great supporting knock to Jos Buttler scoring 23 runs off 21 balls as the duo added 52 runs for the second wicket in Qualifier 2. Samson looked set for a big one before being outfoxed by Wanindu Hasaranga. On the other hand, Devdutt Padikkal has blown hot and cold this season. He scored only nine runs before being sent back by Josh Hazlewood.

West Indies power-hitter Shimron Hetmyer had been the most reliable middle-order batter for Rajasthan in the initial few matches of this season. He has so far amassed 303 runs from 14 matches with his highest score being an unbeaten 59. He also has a stunning average of 50.50 this season.

All-Rounders: Ravichandran Ashwin and Riyan Parag

Ravichandran Ashwin finished his spell with figures of 1/31 against RCB in the last game. So far this season, he has 12 wickets to his name. The Tamil Nadu cricketer did not get a chance to bat in Qualifier 2. Nonetheless, Ashwin has the potential of playing a match-defining knock in the middle order.

Riyan Parag’s performances have not been up to the mark this season. The youngster did not get a chance to either bat or bowl against Bangalore, also there was a lapse in his concentration on the field as he dropped a catch of Rajat Patidar. Fortunately for the Royals, no damage was done in terms of result and he would now be hoping to prove his mettle in the summit clash.

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal and Obed McCoy

New Zealand pace spearhead Trent Boult could only pick up one wicket each in the last two knockout fixtures. The left-arm speedster would be hoping to bring out his best in the game that matters the most when RR will face GT in the tournament decider. After a forgettable Qualifier 1, Prasidh Krishna silenced his critics in the Qualifier 2 with match-winning figures of 3/22.

RR’s most consistent bowler Yuzvendra Chahal might have gone wicketless in the last match, but the stage is all set for him to make the occasion even more memorable. He is just a wicket away to win the Purple Cap. West Indies pace sensation Obed McCoy rattled the Bangalore batters with impressive figures of 3/23 and he would be hoping to continue his splendid run in the grand finale as well.

RR’s predicted playing XI for the Final of IPL 2022: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Obed McCoy.