Rabada leads GT’s attack with 16 wickets in ten matches, bowling consistently above 145kph and claiming 11 of those wickets in the powerplay. Burger has been equally important to RR’s campaign, taking 9 wickets in 10 matches as part of a bowling unit that bowled out CSK for 127 on the opening day of the season.
AFRICA PICKS: RR vs GT – IPL Preview
Both sides are level on six wins from ten matches. RR sit fourth with a net run rate of 0.510, GT fifth at -0.147. The points are identical — the margins are not. GT arrive on a three-match winning streak, RR return from a seven-day break after losing to Delhi Capitals.
The Sawai Mansingh surface has produced two chases above 225 this season. Batting first looks a difficult proposition, which means both Rabada and Burger may be operating with a target to defend rather than set. On this surface, that task becomes harder with every over.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s strike rate of 237.64 makes him the most dangerous early threat for either seamer to contain.
Photo: REUTERS/Amit Dave
