Qualifier 2 pits red-hot RR against GT as bettors watch Sooryavanshi and another likely run-fest
The Indian Premier League is now deep into the playoffs, and the league is down to its final three teams, after a dramatic eliminator Wednesday.
Much of the attention surrounding the IPL playoffs has centered on 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose explosive 97 powered the Royals to a 47-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator.
The win kept Rajasthan’s title hopes alive and set up a blockbuster Qualifier 2 showdown with the Gujarat Titans on Friday.
The winner will advance to Sunday’s IPL final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Chasing a daunting target of 244, Hyderabad struggled to keep pace with Rajasthan’s attack and were bowled out for 196 in 19.2 overs, ending their season.
According to Reuters, Sooryavanshi launched a ferocious assault on the Hyderabad bowling from the opening overs, racing to a half-century in just 16 balls.
In the process, he broke Chris Gayle’s long-standing IPL record for most sixes in a single season.
Sooryavanshi now has 65 sixes this campaign, surpassing Gayle’s mark of 59 set in 2012.
The tournament’s leading run-scorer eventually fell for 97 off just 29 deliveries, a breathtaking innings that included five fours and 12 sixes.
He narrowly missed eclipsing Gayle’s record for the fastest IPL century, reached in 30 balls, but further cemented his status as the breakout star and defining story of this year’s tournament.
RCB won the IPL title last season and, looking balanced and disciplined, they look dangerous again.
Even after losing Qualifier 1, the Titans are a complete team, with elite bowling depth, strong death-over execution and playoff experience. Now they have to stop the Royals.
The playoffs have been super exciting to watch – pure, power-hitting chaos, enormous scoring rates, ultra-aggressive batting, and younger stars.
For today, on the betting end, which way do you go? Do you ride the team with the momentum, the Rajasthan Royals, or go with the team with structure and composure, the Gujarat Titans?
BEST BETS
In cricket betting at Betway, Rajasthan Royals are betting favourites, at -125, the Gujarat Titans +100.
Today’s match is at 10 a.m. EST, at New Chandigarh, with Sunday’s match in Ahmedabad at 10 a.m. EST.
Rajasthan Royals to Win (-125). These guys just look like the hotter team right now. They’ve won three straight and have the momentum after demolishing Sunrisers Hyderabad. And Sooryavanshi’s great form has completely changed the energy on the team.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi To Hit 3+ Sixes (-106). The 15-year-old has 680 runs, a strike rate above 240, and as said, just broke Gayle’s single-season IPL six record.
Total Runs in Match Over 408.5 (-118). Both teams are stacked with aggressive batting (Sooryavanshi, Jaiswal and Jurel for RR, Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Butler for GT).
