Saurashtra’s challenge to stop the Rest of India juggernaut 

Betting Odds 

Our Predictions

• Cheteshwar Pujara has odds of 4.40 to be the best batsman for Saurashtra. 
• Sarfaraz Khan has odds of 4.66 to be the Rest of India's best batsman.
• Dharmendrasinh Jadeja has odds of 4.14 to be Saurashtra's best bowler. 
• Saurabh Kumar has odds of 3.50 to be the best bowler for the Rest of India. 

MATCH PREVIEW         

It is the Irani Cup, and Ranji Trophy champions Saurashtra shall be up against the Rest of India. It is the second Irani Cup game for Saurashtra, and they would love to add this coveted trophy to their cabinet after losing in their previous appearance. The odds are stacked against them as the Rest of India has a strong team, and they will look to do well.  The Rest of India squad has a strong batting line-up, which makes them very strong. They have won the last two editions of the tournament, and it will make the side confident. Saurashtra lost the final in their last appearance, and it will be interesting to see if they can turn it around this year.  

Saurashtra Preview    

Jaydev Unadkat won’t like a repeat of the last final, where they batted poorly in the first innings and never recovered. They have had a good season in the Ranji Trophy and need to continue with the same momentum. Unadkat would expect good performances from the experienced players in the side to lift their first Irani Cup. 

Harvik Desai has scored tons of runs this year, and he will look to deliver a good start in this game along with Jay Gohil. Cheteshwar Pujara’s return boosts their batting strength, and he will look to build partnerships with Sheldon Jackson and Arpit Vasavada in the middle order. The side would also expect runs from Prerak Mankad and Chetan Sakariya down the order. 

On the bowling front, Jaydev Unadkat must lead from the front and grab early wickets along with Chetan Sakariya. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja and Prerak Mankad are in good form, and they must trouble the Rest of India batters with tight spells. The side will also need a good show from Parth Bhut. 

Expected Starting XI for Saurashtra 

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

Rest of India Preview             

Hanuma Vihari would like to repeat the success of the last edition of the Irani Cup, where he successfully led his side to the title. The side has won the last two editions of the tournament, and they have roped in some of the best players. They face a well-gelled unit in this game, and Vihari shall like to see a good show from his players in this mega contest. 

Mayank Agarwal finished as the leading run-getter in the Ranji Trophy this year, and he will look to deliver a good start with Rohan Kunnummal, who has raised expectations. Sarfaraz Khan is a strong hand at No. 3 and will look to add runs with Yash Dull and Sai Sudarshan. They bat deep and shall expect runs from Srikar Bharat, Shams Mulani, Saurabh Kumar, and Vihari down the order as Saurashtra has a strong bowling attack. 

The side will expect good spells from Navdeep Saini and Akash Deep as Saurashtra has a strong top order which has done well this year. Shams Mulani was among the leading wicket-takers and has an important role in this contest. The side will also need good performances in the supporting roles from Saurabh Kumar and Vihari. 

Expected Starting XI for Rest of India           

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

TOSS: To Bat First       

On this wicket, the first two days are ideal for batting. The ball hits the ball nicely, allowing batsmen to play their strokes. After Day 3, spinners begin to play. In this game, the side winning the toss will likely choose to bat first.

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS  

It would be warm and dry conditions at Rajkot. The batting conditions would be good on a flat surface, and we hope to see a high-scoring game. Bowlers shall have very little support on this track for the first three days, and it is only on days 4 and 5 that batsmen are likely to face trouble.

OUR PREDICTION         

Saurashtra has never won the Irani Cup in the past, and this will be on their minds. They had lost the last time to the Rest of India. The side has a weak bowling attack, and they will need a strong show to win this game. The Rest of India side has the perfect balance of youth and experience. We expect a close game, but the Rest of India team starts favorites as per cricket betting sites.

Our Prediction is for Rest of India to win.