CRICKET
IPL: Royals vs Gujarat Titans (1st Qualifier)
Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals will lock horns in the 1st Qualifier to confirm a spot in the final of IPL 2022.
This match will be played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 24th May (Tuesday).
Past performances
Gujarat Titans were brilliant in the league stage as they won 10 out of their 14 matches and finished at the top of the points table at the end of the league stage.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals finished the first phase of IPL 2022 at the second spot with 9 wins and 5 losses from 14 games.
The Titans ended their league stage with a defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their previous game.
Batting first, Gujarat posted 168-5 from their 20 overs. The skipper Hardik Pandya played a superb knock of 62* runs from just 47 balls including 4 fours and 3 sixes.
Later, RCB comfortably chased down the total in the 19th over with 8 wickets in hand.
Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis scored 73 and 44 runs respectively in the must-win game for their side.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals won their last game by 24 runs against Lucknow Super Giants.
Rajasthan Royals set a target of 179 runs on the scoreboard for LSG.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal scored 41 and 39 runs respectively for their side.
In reply, LSG managed to reach only 154-8 from their 20 overs due to an exceptional spell from Trent Boult who picked 2 wickets for just 18 runs from his 4 overs.
Match details
Teams: RR vs GT
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Date: 22nd May, Tuesday
Time: 7:30 pm IST
Head to head record
Gujarat Titans will face the Rajasthan Royals for the second time in IPL history.
Total Matches Played: 0
RR won: 0
GT won: 1
Tie/no results: 0
Pitch Report
The pitch at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata pitch is known to support the spin bowlers.
The batters can score easy runs early on but as the match progresses, the spinners will get the maximum benefit from the pitch.
Both teams will like to chase the target in the all-important Qualifier.
GT Probable Playing 11
Wriddhiman Saha, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Matthew Wade, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Yash Dayal, R Sai Kishore, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami.
RR Probable Playing 11
Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Riyan Parag, Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Obed McCoy.
Star bowler of the match
Yuzvendra Chahal has been brilliant with the ball throughout this season.
He is the purple-cap holder with 26 wickets from 14 games.
Chahal will be the key bowler on the spin-friendly pitch of Eden Gardens.
Star batsman of the match
Jos Buttler was impressive in the first 7 games of this season with 491 runs but he lost his form in the next 7 as managed to score just 138 runs at an average of just 19.71.
But the right-hander is still the leading run-scorer of the season with 629 runs and he is expected to score big runs in the Qualifier game for Rajasthan.
Star Wicketkeeper of the match
Wriddhiman Saha has played some match-winning knocks for Gujrat Titans this season.
Saha is also quite sharp behind the stumps and he will be the star wicketkeeper in this match.
Star all-rounder of the match
Hardik Pandya has impressed everyone with his batting this season.
The star all-rounder has scored a crucial half-century in the previous game for his side and is expected to shine with both bat and ball in this important match.
Who will win?
Both these sides have a strong lineup and they are aiming to qualify for the final directly while the loser will still have a chance to make it to the final.
Rajasthan has both the orange and purple cap holder of the season in their lineup and they are keen to win their 2nd IPL trophy.
Gujarat Titans have been exceptional and they have all bases covered.
They have also defeated Rajasthan Royals earlier this season. The team combination of GT is also quite better than Rajasthan.
Hence, we predict that Gujarat Titans will beat Rajasthan Royals in the 1st Qualifier of IPL 2022.
BIG NEWS
Nepal Premier League Becomes a Watershed Moment for Nepali Cricket
The NPL has become a watershed moment for Nepali cricket, elevating the sport to new heights. With its success, the league has brought national and international attention to Nepali cricket, attracting a broader fan base and better sponsorships.
This landmark event showcases the immense talent present in Nepal and provides a platform for local players to shine. The league has paved the way for a new generation of cricketers to gain recognition and advance their careers in the sport.
The NPL has also given Nepali cricket more global exposure. International players joining the league help raise the level of competition, further inspiring the local players. The league’s popularity continues to grow as it evolves and promises to be a cornerstone of Nepali cricket in the years to come.
As the league progresses, it is expected to inspire future stars and increase the overall development of cricket in Nepal. Fans eagerly follow every match, enjoying the thrilling action and supporting their favorite players and teams.
In conclusion, the Nepal Premier League has transformed Nepali cricket, setting the stage for future growth. This momentous development will surely lead to even greater success for Nepali cricket on the international stage.
The NPL has also sparked interest in domestic leagues across emerging cricket nations. It serves as a model for other countries to develop their cricketing infrastructure and provide young talent. As the NPL continues to grow, it is expected to play a vital role in shaping the future of Nepali cricket.
Fans have embraced the tournament, creating a sense of national pride. The NPL’s rise reflects the growing global interest in domestic cricket leagues and their role in nurturing future talent. It’s a significant milestone for Nepali cricket, ensuring that the sport will continue to evolve in the coming years.
BGT
Simon Katich Criticizes George Bailey’s Call to Axe Nathan McSweeney from Australian Team
Simon Katich has sharply criticized George Bailey’s decision to drop Nathan McSweeney from the Australian team. Simon Katich believes this call was a poor decision, especially after McSweeney’s consistent performance. Bailey’s choice has sparked discussions about the selection process and the reasoning behind it.
McSweeney’s exclusion has raised eyebrows, with many questioning why a player with such promise was dropped. Katich, in particular, feels that Bailey’s decision to axe McSweeney is questionable, especially when compared to the struggles of other top-order batters. Both teams in the recent series have faced challenges with their top-order batting, but the Australian selectors decided to make this change.
Katich’s comments reflect growing concerns about the selection strategy and the impact of dropping McSweeney. He pointed out that many players have struggled with their form, yet McSweeney was chosen to be left out. This, Katich argues, highlights the inconsistency in the decision-making process.
Top-order batters in both teams have faced difficulties, with neither side managing to produce consistent runs. Despite these struggles, the decision to remove McSweeney has left fans and experts questioning the rationale behind the move. Some believe that dropping McSweeney might have been premature, given the form of other players.
Katich’s criticism brings attention to the broader issue of player selections in international cricket. As teams prepare for future series, these decisions are likely to influence the direction of Australian cricket. The focus now shifts to how Bailey and the selectors will handle similar challenges in upcoming matches.
The debate continues, with many calling for more transparent and consistent decision-making regarding player selections in international cricket.
BGT
Steve Smith and Travis Head Address BCCI’s Influence in Cricket
Steve Smith recently commented on BCCI’s influence in cricket, sparking debates about its significant role in global governance. During a media interaction, Smith remarked that the International Cricket Council (ICC) appears less powerful than the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This statement drew attention, prompting Smith to clarify his intentions quickly.
Smith acknowledged that the BCCI holds a dominant position in cricket due to its financial and organizational contributions. He pointed out how the Indian board influences key decisions that shape the sport. However, Smith softened his tone, emphasizing that his comments were not meant as criticism of either the ICC or the BCCI.
Travis Head, Smith’s Australian teammate, also addressed BCCI’s influence in cricket. Head humorously referred to the Indian board as “rulers,” recognizing its ability to set global standards in cricket. He highlighted the board’s pivotal role in defining policies and establishing benchmarks for the sport.
These remarks have reignited discussions about power dynamics in international cricket. Critics argue that the BCCI’s financial clout often overshadows smaller cricketing nations. They believe this imbalance can hinder fair representation in decision-making. On the other hand, supporters emphasize the BCCI’s critical role in expanding cricket’s global reach and popularity.
As India hosts the ICC Cricket World Cup, the spotlight remains on the BCCI’s influence in cricket. The board’s central role in shaping schedules, policies, and trends continues to drive conversations about equity in the sport. Smith and Head’s remarks reflect ongoing concerns about maintaining fairness and inclusivity in global cricket governance.
Their comments underscore the need for balanced representation to ensure a fair future for cricket.
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