RR brace for GT challenge as race for top four heats up

Think back to the IPL 2023 and 2024 campaigns of the Rajasthan Royals. A dominant start before falling away and losing momentum - to the extent of losing games on the bounce - before missing out on the playoffs or at least a top-two berth which once seemed inevitable. There is a startlingly familiar correlation between the middle of the season and the end of the current season. In the beginning of April, the Royals appeared to be the team to beat, defeating opposing teams in the Powerplay with bat and ball. After a two-game blip, they have since blown hot and cold and are once again walking on familiar unstable ground. This is made worse by the fact that they play Gujarat Titans on Saturday, after not playing cricket for a week. After that game, there will be a break for another week, which should have given the points table a more clear shape by then. However, a prolonged lag can halt a team's progress. Just ask Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who have lost on both sides of their lengthy break despite not being in dangerous territory. The Royals' encounter with a GT team that just completed a hat trick of victories bolsters the narrative regarding their ability to shake off the stale air. In essence, this is a game that RR would not want to lose, lest they then assume the role of nervous watchers over the course of the week ahead. They have posted totals in excess of 225 twice in Jaipur, only to be convincingly pursued. With the exception of Jofra Archer, their bowling attack has clearly lost its bite. Is it now time to make adjustments? And despite his inability to bring momentum into the innings against spin, is Dhruv Jurel still their best bet at number three? The Titans have fewer questions to answer, but a flat surface could raise questions about their ability to score huge totals against a side built on stability rather than extreme aggression. All of their recent victories have followed a similar pattern: early progress with the new ball, continued strangle in the middle overs, and a below-par total for a top-heavy batting order to chase. Because Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his debut last year with a 35-ball hundred in this very match, they would be well aware of why that is crucial again on Saturday. Additionally, GT ought to be well-prepared for a team that is on the rise and peaking at the right time, something that RR would be wary of. This is a match that could have a significant impact on both teams' chances of qualifying for the playoffs because a loss would knock RR out of the top four. What to expect - Another hot day with clear skies. If the chased totals of 228 and 225 this season are any indication, another run-fest may be on the horizon. The Royals might not mind for a change because GT are difficult to beat on decks with more tack. Head to Head - 6-3 in favour of GT after nine games. The Titans also hold a slender 2-1 lead in matches at Jaipur. RR, however, won the reverse-fixture earlier this season after Tushar Deshpande nailed his yorkers in a final-over thriller. Tactics & Matchups - There is a case for the Titans to introduce Rashid Khan much earlier, even if it means abandoning their ploy of having Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada handle the Powerplay alone, as Jurel is struggling to break free against spin (SR of 104.76 against spin in his last six games). Prasidh Krishna has not been in the XII for three consecutive games. However, the lanky seamer may make a comeback in his place since Manav Suthar is unlikely to bowl against a RR team full of left-handed bowlers. Rajasthan Royals Injuries/Unavailability - There are no new injuries reported by the RR camp. Probable XII - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka/Tushar Deshpande, Jofra Archer, Adam Milne, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma Gujarat Titans Injuries/Unavailability - No injuries to report from the GT camp either. Probable XII: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Manav Suthar/Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj