IPL: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Sunday’s IPL final between Gujarat Titans v Rajasthan Royals with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

🏏 Gujarat Titans v Rajasthan Royals – Final 🏏

MATCH OVERVIEW:

After a week of superb action in the IPL Playoffs, it’s time for the grand Final on Sunday! Gujarat Titans take on Rajasthan Royals in the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad in a repeat of Qualifier 1 on Tuesday. Although we’ve already saw this fixture this week, it should still be a cracker on BETDAQ Betting Exchange with plenty of twists and turns expected in-running. Rajasthan Royals had to do it the hard way after getting beaten by Gujarat Titans on Tuesday, but it is fitting to have the top two teams in the table in the final.

We saw two very high scoring games in Kolkata in the opening two Playoff games, and although Gujarat Titans chased down the 188/6 from Rajasthan relatively easily, in hindsight after seeing the game the next day the 188 was a little light. Rajasthan would have felt confident at the time I’m sure, but the main thing for Rajasthan that day was Jos Buttler coming back into form and he carried the side to victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday afterwards. Another century from Buttler will leave Rajasthan full of confidence – he really lit up the IPL in the early stages but he did go off the boil. To have him back in form is a huge boost for Rajasthan, and make no mistake if Buttler fails it will be a long way back for Rajasthan. That’s a lot of pressure to deal with too!

For Gujarat Titans, they won’t need to change much. They topped the table, and have looked the best side in the tournament this season. They don’t have many weaknesses – their openers are solid, middle order explosive and their bowling is very good. No doubt all of their pre-game plans will focus on getting Buttler out early which will go a long way to winning the game. Whatever happens it’s an incredible achievement from both sides to get here this season. Rajasthan finished second last in 2021 and obviously this is Gujarat’s first season in the IPL. Both sides have been fantastic, and hopefully the Final lives up to our expectations.

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

I strongly feel we’ll see the same conditions as Friday here. There just isn’t enough time for conditions to change – just keep an eye on if they have a fresh wicket and is there dew – those two factors will be important but I would expect more or less the same scores to produce the same results. It’s hard to be confident in batting or bowling first given the lack of ground data, but I would lean towards bowling if I won the toss. I know they always say bat first in a Final, but those days are gone and players are much better at clearing the ropes now to ease the pressure. Both sides have very strong batting units so I would expect the bat to come out on top – nevertheless I would suggest a true par score here is around 170 to 175. 157 was chased down pretty easily on Friday, add a bit of final pressure and I would say aim for 175.

RECOMMENDED BET:

It’s no surprise to see such an even market – indeed I can’t recall and IPL Final with both sides more or less 2.0! It’s really hard to see anything bar a very close game here, so I would keep stakes small before the off. I feel the game for Rajasthan depends on how Jos Buttler performs at the top of the order. He’s going to be so important here. I would rather back Gujarat after he’s out at a lower price if stakes were increased, but pre-off I’m happy to have a small bet on Gujarat at 2.0. I feel just they are a more solid side here, whereas Rajasthan rely on Buttler heavily. Buttler scored well in the Qualifier but Gujarat were able to stop the others from scoring at the other end, and it will take a lot for Buttler to win the game on his own here. Gujarat just tick every box, and they have been fantastic in their opening season. They are worthy Champions in my opinion.

The Edge Says:
One point win Gujarat Titans to beat Rajasthan Royals at 2.0 with BETDAQ Exchange.

View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/GujRja

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

We don’t have a lot of ground data to say if batting or bowling first will have an edge. This stadium is still pretty new – I said above I would lean towards bowling first and I feel that’s the way to go. You benefit from a heavy dew which will make life difficult for the bowlers later in the game, plus when we’re not fully sure what a good score is then it’s always nice to bowl first. I’m really happy to support the Gujarat middle order here – they have been fantastic and I feel that they can put up a massive performance. I will stay out of the market while the openers bat, and I’m also not keen to be on either bowling side for long here. I feel conditions will favour the bat. Buttler is going to be worth a lot of ticks, and my gut says support him but Gujarat were still able to take wickets at the other end on Tuesday – I feel the best play is supporting that Gujarat middle order.