By Nearly one-third of the league stage of IPL 2024 is complete, and Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans are gearing up to clash in the 24th match. Last year around the same time, the Royals faced the Titans in the 23rd match and secured a win, marking their fourth win out of five games and placing them at the top of the table. However, the Titans bounced back from that defeat, eventually topping the table with 10 wins in the league stage. In contrast, the Royals missed the playoffs after losing six out of their last nine matches.
The Royals currently sit at the top of the table, unbeaten after four matches, while the Titans are fourth from the bottom. The Royals will be looking to maintain their winning streak and avoid a repeat of last year’s slump. Meanwhile, the Titans, with three losses in five matches, are aiming for a turnaround in their fortunes.
Jos Buttler’s resurgence, along with Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag’s consistent performances, has boosted the Rajasthan Royals’ batting lineup. Their bowling, led by Trent Boult and Nandre Burger, supported by spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin, has also been impressive. The Titans, on the other hand, have relied heavily on Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan for runs, with Mohamed Shami’s absence and Rashid Khan’s subdued form posing challenges for them.
Rajasthan Royals ready to take action
The match is scheduled to take place at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, where the Royals have enjoyed success this season, winning three out of three matches. The team selection is expected to be done in the first week of May.
Injuries have been a concern for both teams, with Sandeep Sharma missing the last two games for the Royals due to an undisclosed niggle, while David Miller and Wriddhiman Saha have also been sidelined for the Titans. Despite these setbacks, the Royals will be banking on their strong form and home advantage to continue their winning streak. They will look to target Sai Sudharsan early, given his vulnerability against pace, and rely on Yuzvendra Chahal’s leg-spin to trouble Shubman Gill, who has struggled against such bowling.
The Titans, on the other hand, will be hoping for a quick return to form for their key players and a turnaround in their fortunes. They will look to Spencer Johnson to exploit Yashasvi Jaiswal’s weakness against left-arm pace, while Rashid Khan will be crucial in dismissing Jos Buttler and Shimron Hetmyer, who have been key for the Royals. Both teams will be aiming for a crucial win to strengthen their position in the league table and build momentum for the remainder of the tournament.
