🏏IPL 2026:Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans, Final🏏 - Page 11

Cricketers and their obsession with soil and grass

It is almost impossible for a team to be successful without understanding the playing surface. Matches and even tournaments have been lost due to poor reading of the pitch. Because data is so relevant today, players look if the pitch is black soil, red soil or a mix of both as each variety brings different dynamics to the game. They look at the amount of watering done on the pitch in the build up to the game and the moisture it holds just before the start of the match. More moisture means it will be tough early on for the team batting first in T20s. The thickness of the grass is of top interest because its length will determine how much the ball moves for the pacers and captains can even look for extra pace options in their setups

Ahmedabad can be totally batter-friendly or even be sporty between bat and ball. Pitch No. 6, a mixed soil pitch, is said to be used for this game. So straightaway you can say it won't be a highway for the bowlers. There will be some help for pacers and possibly cutters as well. This doesn't mean teams can't post 200 though. What this mostly means is that 230+ seems unlikely, unless the batting side puts on a jaw-dropping show or the bowlers just forget how to bowl.

How did RCB turn the tables?

Over the years, RCB always had strong batting resources. The bowling and the struggle to find a solid combination was their eternal problem. They took the bull by the horns and decided we are going to fix this. Through smart auction strategies, they not only filled slots like never before, but they also added backups. They always had answers for What Ifs. They valued experience more with the ball. They backed Bhuvi, roped in Krunal and Hazlewood played an integral role as well. At a point people were pulling their hair out at RCB's inability to defend targets, but now there is a lot of promise.

And in the batting department, they acknowledged the evolving game and the need for intensity at the top. Virat Kohli himself led from the front transforming his game and Phil Salt fit the bill perfectly. They transformed the entire team into a fearless outfit that stuck to a plan even if they failed. The result was an emotional Virat finally getting his hands on the IPL trophy in his 18th attempt, thereby ending the agony for the fans as well. And now here they are, having a second shot at the title in successive years. This is what a good auction can do to a team. Gives them a great chance even before the tournament starts. This is what successful teams like CSK and MI did for years. Can RCB join them for back-to-back titles?

The T20 game has evolved a lot; or has it for GT?

When you are building a side in this era of T20 cricket, the talk is all about needing high-intent openers and power-hitters with good batting depth. And here we have the Titans who are literally dominating the tournament with just their top three batters and going for their second title. In an era where impact is measured more by aggressive intent than anything else, the Titans saw more value in consistency at the top with versatility. Because given the quality of Gill and Sai, they are going to click more often than not. Their home ground has such good conditions for batters that even the out of form Buttler could pick up steam.

This GT team kind of reminds you of the RCB of the old, where the trio of Gayle, Kohli and AB de Villiers carried the side through. The one thing GT have done differently to the old RCB though is backing up its top-heavy batting with the best bowling attack in the competition. David Miller's exit left a significant void in the middle-order but a solid top-order and a gun bowling attack almost covers up for the lack of power in the middle-order. Their funda has been simple this season. Bat sensibly, don't bother about going too hard and score enough runs for the bowlers to fight, even if it means scoring slightly under-par. You are now reminded of the Warner-Dhawan, Rashid-Bhuvi era at SRH aren't you?

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What's common between RCB & GT this season?

-- 'King' Virat Kohli & 'Prince' Shubman Gill: Two prolific run-getters who average 40 in the IPL. Not only are they their team's leading run-getters this season (600 & 722 runs), but are also striking at 160+ (highest SR of their IPL careers).

-- Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Kagiso Rabada: The two former Purple Cap winners are the leading wicket-takers this season (26 & 28 wickets) and have a strike-rate under 14. They have been super effective in the powerplay (16 & 19 wickets). Similarly, they've made a mark in the death overs as well (9 & 6 wickets).

-- Powerplay pattern: With the bat, both teams are scoring at > 9 RPO (9.75 & 9.06). With the ball, they have taken 33 wickets each at similar averages (25.45 & 26.39) and strike-rates (16.3 & 17.4).

-- Fielding: There is little to differentiate between the two teams in terms of catching efficiency (78.9 & 77.9).

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It's DK v Nehraji....

Thanks for the tag Madhu

One last match this season.....kal se predict karne keliye kuch nehi rahega for an year

Originally posted by: SalluTheUllu

All top scorer, let's share prediction Sharing is caring, let's score same

Im not a topper....

Originally posted by: SalluTheUllu

All top scorer, let's share prediction Sharing is caring, let's score same

Top scorer nd me??

U must be joking??

Next year April - pls come fast.....🙂🎊