Saurashtra vs Rest of India, Irani Cup, Today Match Prediction 01 October 2023

n/a vs roi Match Prediction & Analysis

Saurashtra, the reigning Ranji Trophy Champions, would look to end a wonderful season with the Irani Cup as they take on the Rest of India. This is the second appearance for Saurashtra in the Irani Cup, and they will look to win their first title. The Rest of India has won the last two titles, and they will look to make it three in a row.  

The Rest of India draws its strengths from the powerful batting line-up it has. Their batsmen have scored lots of runs in the domestic season, and they will look to carry on with the same form. Saurashtra won’t like to repeat the mistake of the last Irani Cup, and we should have a good game on our hands. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Saurashtra Preview

Jaydev Unadkat leads a strong side. The players have done well as a unit in this year’s Ranji Trophy and have been among the most consistent sides in the last few seasons. Unadkat would be aware of the strong opponent his side faces in this game and shall expect a strong show from the team.  

Harvik Desai has been in good form, and he would like to set up a big opening wicket stand with Jay Gohil. Cheteshwar Pujara comes to the side, and this is a significant advantage for them. In the middle order, he would like to add runs with Sheldon Jackson and Arpit Vasavada. Prerak Mankad and Chetan Sakariya are good finishers, and the side will have big expectations from them.  

Jaydev Unadkat must show the way to his team with the new ball and get early wickets along with Chetan Sakariya. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja and Prerak Mankad troubled the batsmen in the Ranji Trophy, and they have a very important role to play in this game. They lack depth in their bowling and need a good show from Parth Bhut.

Saurashtra Predicted Playing XI:

Jaydev Unadkat (c), Harvik Desai (wk), Jay Gohil, Cheteshwar Pujara, Vishvaraj Jadeja, Sheldon Jackson, Arpit Vasavada, Chetan Sakariya, Prerak Mankad, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Parth Bhut

Rest of India Preview

Hanuma Vihari led his side to a trophy earlier this year, and he will look to repeat show in this game. Most of the players in the squad were part of the team that defeated Saurashtra earlier and this will make them confident. Vihari would like to see a good show from his players and make it three titles in a row.  

Mayank Agarwal made 990 runs in the Ranji Trophy this year, finishing as the top run-getter. He will look to provide a steady start with Rohan Kunnummal. The middle order is formidable, and they will look for runs from the trio of Sarfaraz Khan, Yash Dull, and Sai Sudarshan. Srikar Bharat, Shams Mulani, Saurabh Kumar, and Vihari complete a strong batting unit for the team.  

Navdeep Saini and Akash Deep have been among the top bowlers in the season and they will look to do well with the new ball and put Saurashtra under pressure. Shams Mulani has had a remarkable season and he will look to bowl good spells in the middle with Saurabh Kumar. Vihari must do well in the supporting act. 

Rest of India Predicted Playing XI:

Hanuma Vihari (c), Mayank Agarwal, Srikar Bharat (wk), Rohan Kunnummal, Sarfaraz Khan, Sai Sudarshan, Shams Mulani, Akash Deep, Yash Dull, Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Kumar

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We expect warm and dry weather at Rajkot on all the days of the game. We expect a flat surface where the ball would come to the bat nicely, allowing batters to play their strokes easily. The ball will turn on the last two days and the side batting first shall look to have 400 runs in the first innings.

Venue Details

Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, has a flat surface, and runs have been scored in the past. Spinners do well at this venue as the dry surface allows them to turn the ball sharply. It is one of the toughest wickets for the fast bowlers with little assistance from the track. 

Toss: To Bat

The wicket is best to bat on the first two days of the game and from Day 3 onward the spinners get into the act and can make life difficult for the batsmen. The side winning the toss won’t hesitate to bat first on this surface.