The Rajasthan Royals will be up against the Gujarat Titans in Match number 47 of IPL 2025 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur in Jaipur. On the night of an important 'must-win' game, and ahead of the toss, the caretaker captain Riyan Parag had a very good opportunity to make some tactical changes to the Royals' lineup. Parag won the toss and elected to bowl first, and he confirmed that Fazalhaq Farooqi and Tushar Deshpande would not play, with both being replaced by Sri Lankan spinner, Maheesh Theekshana and Indian pacer, Yudhvir Singh. It can be interpreted that given their statistics so far this IPL and the conditions of the day, the Royals wanted to add to their spin depth and their pace option.

At the toss, Riyan stated, "Two changes, Farooqi out, Theekshana in. Tushar out and Yudhvir in." This tactical choice clearly identifies Rajasthan’s intention to adapt to changing conditions and play the Gujarat Titans' batsmen to their weaknesses. Given the Narendra Modi Stadium's recent tendencies to assist spinners, it would appear Rajasthan is looking to adapt to that tactic by swapping out a fast bowler with a spin bowler. By adding spin in the form of Theekshana and pace in the form of Yudhvir Singh, they want to be able to attack the top order early and control the middle overs. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi, despite being a key wicket-taker for the Royals, struggled recently, while Tushar Deshpande managed 6 wickets in 8 matches but had an expensive economy of 11.25.  Both these bowlers were picked up in the auction citing their ability to ball both with new and old ball. Speaking of bowling performance, the Afghan pacer went wicketless in his three appearances, conceding at 11.70 per over. Their exclusion signals a calculated risk, showing the Royals’ willingness to make bold tactical adjustments to stay alive in the playoff race.

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Gujarat Titans Give Debut to Karim Janat

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill also made a change to their playing XI ahead of the crucial clash. Afghan all-rounder Karim Janat was handed his IPL debut, replacing Sherfane Rutherford. Known for his hard-hitting skills and effective medium-pace bowling, Janat strengthens GT’s all-round department and adds more balance to the squad. Speaking at the toss, Gill stated, "We felt it was the right time to bring Karim in. He’s a quality player with strong performances across T20 leagues worldwide."

The match is hugely significant for both teams with playoff places on the line. The Rajasthan Royals' consistent strategy of aggressive selection shows they want to remain unpredictable, while the Gujarat Titans' embrace of new talent suggests a longer term focus on increasing their depth. Whoever prevails at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on what promises to be a tense day, it could be the difference in determining how each season transpires from here on in.

The Rajasthan Royals have introduced a significant modification to their XI for Match 28 of the IPL 2025, benching Afghan medium pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi in favor of Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. The Royals are playing host to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Jaipur-based Sawai Mansingh Stadium, which is also their first home game of the season.

Farooqi, who played in RR's last match against the Gujarat Titans, has been omitted for strategic reasons and not because of injury. His replacement, Hasaranga, had skipped the previous game due to personal reasons but is now available and ready to deliver with bat and ball. Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson confirmed the switch at the toss, saying, "Hasa is back. Hasaranga will be replacing our Farooqi ji (smiles)."

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The return of Hasaranga is a move to reinforce the middle overs with a tried match-winner who provides variation to the bowling unit and solidity in the lower order. Farooqi, the specialist left-arm seamer, bowled only two overs against Gujarat and remained wicketless, which could have instigated the think tank to choose Hasaranga's all-round ability.

Tactical Shift for Stronger Middle Overs

Rajasthan too are hoping to rebound after suffering a comprehensive 58-run loss to Gujarat Titans. RCB, on the other hand, have lost a six-wicket game to Delhi Capitals but have won all their three away matches so far.

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RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and decided to bowl first, citing the hard condition of the pitch. Both teams are keen to put their campaigns back on track, and RR will be hoping that Hasaranga's return has an instant effect.

With Farooqi being the Impact Player possibility for RR, there remains the chance that he might come on later in the game based on the situation in the game. But currently, Rajasthan has decided to rely on Hasaranga's spin and experience to prove fruitful at home.

In the sixth game of the IPL 2025, the Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders (RR vs KKR) match will be played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium (Guwahati) on Wednesday evening (March 26), which will be the second game for both teams. Here, we are going through the Dream11 top captains and vice-captains for the match. 

IPL 2025, Match 6: RR vs KKR Probable XIs

Rajasthan Royals Predicted Playing 11: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson/Fazalhaq Farooqi (Impact Sub), Riyan Parag (Captain), Nitish Rana, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande

Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted Playing 11: Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora/Angkrish Raghuvanshi (Impact Sub), Varun Chakravarthy

See Also: IPL 2025: RR vs KKR – Weather & Pitch report

IPL 2025, Match 6: RR vs KKR Dream11 Top Captains And Vice-captains

Top 3 Captain's choices

Sunil Narine: KKR legend Sunil Narine is the key name in both batting and bowling line-ups for the defending champions. In their first game of the IPL 2025, despite a slow start, the opener Narine scored a valuable 44 off 26 balls with five fours and three sixes. While he had a century partnership with captain Ajinkya Rahane for the second wicket, disciplined Narine had bowling figures of 4-0-27-1. 

Ajinkya Rahane: KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane is in dream form with the bat. After having a great domestic season, including finishing as a leading run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 (469 runs), Rahane started the IPL 2025 with a strong 56 off 31 balls, including six fours and four sixes. 

Shimron Hetmyer: Caribbean cricketer Shimron Hetmyer is one of the dangerous T20 batters whose strike rate generally stays over 150. He likes to deal with boundaries, which makes his team’s scoreboard busy. In their IPL 2025 opener, while RR were already out of the game, desperate Hetmyer still managed to play a useful cameo of 42 off 23 balls with one four and four sixes.  

Top 3 Vice-captain's choices

Sanju Samson: At least for the first three games of the IPL 2025, RR regular captain Sanju Samson is playing only as a batter while Riyan Parag is leading the side. Although Samson always tends to get dismissed early, his consistency is getting better, and he scored a valuable 66 off 37 balls (seven fours and four sixes) in their season opener against SunRisers Hyderabad despite not getting a good start on their 287-run chase. 

Varun Chakravarthy: KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy is in great form with the ball. Although he had a tough outing during the first game of the IPL 2025, where he had the bowling figures of 4-0-43-1, it was one of his rare performances in recent times. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi: The Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi is one of the most consistent pacers in T20 cricket since 2024, as he has recorded the joint highest wickets in this period with 89 wickets in 57 innings, including four four-fers and four fifers. The left-arm fast bowler is a key for RR. 

South Africa have a horrible start in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sharjah, as the Afghans bundled them out for only 106 runs in the ODI series opener. 

South Africa were 36/7 at the end of the first powerplay

Afghanistan left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi provided a great start while the teenage off-spinner AM Ghazanfar brought great support to him. Their dominance resulted in South Africa having a terrible start as they were struggling at 36/7 in 10 overs.  

Openers Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi had a 17-run opening partnership before Farooqi stormed the Proteas top-order batting line-up. In his second and third overs, Farooqi bowled Hendricks (9) and stand-in captain Aiden Markram (2), respectively. In his next over, the left-arm pacer dismissed De Zorzi for 11 runs.

Soon Ghazanfar joined Farooqi in the destructive action. In his fourth over, the teenage off-spinner took the wickets of Tristan Stubbs (0) and the debutant Jason Smith (0). Kyle Verreynne (10) was Ghazanfar’s next victim in his next over, while the horrible first powerplay ended with Andile Phehlukwayo’s run out for a duck. 

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Fazalhaq Farooqi took four wickets

The no.7 batter Wiaan Mulder fought hard to rescue South Africa from the embarrassing situation. He had two fighting partnerships, a 39-run partnership with Bjorn Fortuin for the eighth wicket and a 30-run partnership with Nandre Burger for the ninth wicket.  

While Mulder scored 52 runs, Fortuin scored 16 runs. After Rashid Khan bowled Fortuin, Farooqi got his fourth wicket of the match by dismissing the desperate Mulder in his next spell. Rashid Khan completed the South African innings with the wicket of Lungi Ngidi (0). It was the first time that Afghanistan took all 10 wickets against South Africa in any international cricket match. 

Farooqi finished the innings with the bowling figures of 7-1-35-4. Meanwhile, Ghazanfar (3/20) took three wickets and Rashid Khan (2/30) bagged two wickets on his ODI return. 

• South Africa managed their joint seventh-lowest completed ODI total. 

South Africa’s lowest completed ODI totals (Top 10)

• Meanwhile, the 106 all-out was the seventh-lowest completed ODI total for a team against Afghanistan. 

Lowest completed ODI totals against Afghanistan (Top 10)

The T20 World Cup 2024 has wrapped up, leaving cricket fans across the globe in awe of the stunning performances and nail-biting matches. Among all the excitement, India emerged victorious, lifting the trophy for the second time. While the Indian team’s brilliance was evident, several players from different countries showcased exceptional skills. Here, we look at the best playing XI of the tournament, highlighting the standout performers.

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Take a look at best playing of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

This best playing XI, featuring a mix of experienced stalwarts and emerging stars, exemplifies the spirit and excitement of T20 cricket. Each player brought something unique to the table, contributing to memorable performances and unforgettable matches. As we celebrate India’s victory, let’s also appreciate the remarkable efforts of these individuals who made the tournament a spectacular event.

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was a key figure in Afghanistan’s impressive run in the tournament. The Afghan opener’s stats speak volumes: 8 matches, 281 runs, an average of 35.12, and a strike rate of 124.33.

Gurbaz’s role as the steady opener ensured that Afghanistan often had a solid start. His ability to build an innings and set a foundation for a competitive total made him an invaluable asset.

2. Rohit Sharma (IND) (C)

Rohit Sharma, India’s skipper, had a fantastic tournament with the bat. Scoring 257 runs in 8 matches with an average of 36.71 and a strike rate of 156.70, Rohit led by example.

His captaincy was a masterclass in strategy. Utilizing four spinners effectively and adapting to match situations, Rohit showcased why he is considered one of the best captains in modern cricket.

3. Andries Gous (USA) (wk)

The USA’s wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous made a significant impact. With 219 runs in 6 matches at an average of 43.80 and a strike rate of 151.03, Gous was a pillar for the USA team.

Gous’s ability to handle pressure and perform in tricky conditions earned him a spot as the keeper-batter in this elite XI.

4. Suryakumar Yadav (IND)

Suryakumar Yadav continued to shine in the T20 format, scoring 199 runs in 8 matches with an average of 28.42 and a strike rate of 135.37.

His knack for adapting to different playing conditions and match situations made him a crucial player for India. Star India batter Suryakumar Yadav took a sensational catch on the boundary to dismiss David Miller and help India win the T20 World Cup 2024.

5. Marcus Stoinis (AUS)

Marcus Stoinis lived up to his ‘Hulk’ nickname with powerful performances. In 7 matches, he scored 169 runs at a strike rate of 164.07 and took 10 wickets.

His dual capabilities as a hard-hitting batter and reliable bowler made him indispensable to the Australian squad. In the match against Namibia, Stoinis scored 59 runs in just 29 balls, with nine fours and two sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 203.44.

6. Hardik Pandya (IND

Hardik Pandya bounced back from a tough IPL season with a stellar World Cup performance. He scored 144 runs and took 11 wickets, showcasing his all-round prowess.

Pandya was particularly effective in the US leg of the tournament, where he emerged as a top wicket-taker for India. Hardik defended 16 runs in the final over to ensure a famous win for his team.

7. Axar Patel (IND)

Axar Patel demonstrated his all-round abilities with both bat and ball. He took 9 wickets and scored 92 runs, contributing significantly in all departments.

Axar’s presence added depth to the Indian lineup, providing both offensive and defensive options. Axar Patel’s 47 off 31 balls crucial knock should not be overlooked. Following the loss of three wickets for 34 runs in final match against South Africa, Axar was promoted up the order as a circuit-breaker.

8. Rashid Khan (AFG)

Rashid Khan led Afghanistan with distinction. His 14 wickets in 8 matches, with an economy rate of 6.17, underlined his importance.

Rashid’s best performances came in high-pressure matches, where he delivered critical breakthroughs. He made history in a match against Bangladesh, becoming the first spinner to surpass 150 wickets in T20I cricket and the fourth bowler to record three four-wicket hauls in the tournament.

9. Anrich Nortje (SA)

Anrich Nortje marked his return to international cricket with a bang. He took 13 wickets in 8 matches, with an average of 13.46 and a best of 4-7.

Nortje’s lethal bowling in the powerplay and death overs made him a standout performer for South Africa. The speedster made the most of spicy wickets in USA, kickstarting his campaign with a 4-7 against Sri Lanka.

He’s also been effective in the West Indies, bowling a brilliant final over to secure a close win against England and getting 2-7 in the semi-final against Afghanistan.

10. Jasprit Bumrah (IND)

Jasprit Bumrah was the tournament’s best bowler, with 15 wickets in 8 matches and an economy rate of 4.17. His average of 8.26 reflects his dominance.

As if making up for the fact that he missed the last edition of the tournament due to an injury, Jasprit Bumrah has shown peak form in the tournament.Bumrah’s ability to take wickets in all phases of the game was instrumental in India’s success.

This was most visible against Pakistan in New York, where the irrepressible pacer bamboozled the opposition in each of his short spells, and guided India to a six-run win with his 3-14.

11. Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG)

Fazalhaq Farooqi was a revelation for Afghanistan. With 17 wickets in 9 matches and an economy rate of 6.31, he was a consistent threat to opposition batters.

Fazalhaq Farooqi led Afghanistan’s charge in the group stages with his scintillating new ball display, picking 12 wickets from his first three games, including a career-best 5-9 versus Uganda and 4-17 in his side’s historic win over New Zealand. Farooqi’s impressive performance earned him a well-deserved place in this best XI.

12th Man: Saurabh Netravlakar (USA)

Saurabh Netravalkar’s journey in the T20 World Cup 2024 was nothing short of inspirational. He played a crucial role in USA’s surprising run to the Super Eights.

His ability to bowl effectively in both powerplays and death overs, including a memorable Super Over against Pakistan, highlighted his skill and composure.

Afghanistan left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi made history on Thursday, becoming the bowler with the most wickets taken in a single edition of the ICC T20 World Cup. Farooqi reached this milestone during his side’s semi-final match against South Africa at Tarouba in Trinidad.

During the game, Farooqi took the wicket of wicket keeper-batter Quinton de Kock and ended with figures of 1/11 in two overs. Now, in the ongoing tournament, Farooqi has taken 17 wickets in eight games at an average of 9.41 and an economy rate of 6.31, with the best bowling figures of 5/9. He is the leading wicket-taker in the competition as of now.

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Setting the Record

Farooqi’s record-breaking performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 is a testament to his skill and determination. He surpassed the previous record held by Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who took 16 wickets in the 2021 edition held in the UAE. Farooqi’s achievement places him among the elite bowlers in T20 World Cup history, alongside legends like Ajantha Mendis and Arshdeep Singh.

From his early days as a promising young talent in domestic cricket to becoming a pivotal player for Afghanistan on the global stage, Farooqi’s journey is inspiring.

Match against South Africa

In the semi-final against South Africa, Farooqi’s performance was one of the few bright spots for Afghanistan. Despite their struggles, his ability to dismiss a key player like Quinton de Kock showcased his talent. The match, however, was dominated by South Africa’s bowlers, who quickly dismantled Afghanistan’s batting lineup.

The Semi-Final match

In the semi-final against South Africa, Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first. However, pacers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen made the Asian side regret their decision, reducing them to 28/6. Though Karim Janat (8) and skipper Rashid Khan (8) tried to launch a counterattack with some boundaries, Afghanistan folded for just 56 runs in 11.5 overs.

South Africa’s bowling dominance

Tabraiz Shamsi (3/6) and Marco Jansen (3/16) were the top bowlers for the Proteas. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje also took two wickets each, showcasing South Africa’s bowling dominance. Their disciplined and aggressive bowling left Afghanistan’s batters struggling to find any momentum.

Afghanistan’s batting collapse

Afghanistan’s batting collapse was a result of both South Africa’s exceptional bowling and their own inability to handle the pressure. Key wickets fell quickly, and the middle and lower order could not mount a significant resistance. The team’s total of 56 was their lowest in the tournament.

South Africa’s chase

In the run-chase, South Africa lost Quinton de Kock early. However, Reeza Hendricks (29* in 25 balls, with three fours and a six) and skipper Aiden Markram (23* in 21 balls, with four boundaries) took South Africa to the winning score in 8.5 overs. Their calm and composed approach ensured there were no hiccups in achieving the modest target.

The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season has been an exhilarating journey so far, with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) emerging as one of the standout teams.  SRH’s campaign received a significant boost with the return of their ace pacer, Fazalhaq Farooqi, to the squad after missing the initial matches of the season. Farooqi’s presence adds depth and potency to the bowling attack, enhancing SRH’s chances of clinching victories in crucial encounters.

The leadership of Pat Cummins

Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, SRH has adopted an aggressive approach, which is evident from their ability to score over 250 runs on multiple occasions. Cummins’ captaincy has infused confidence and determination into the team, motivating them to deliver standout performances on the field. Earlier in the season, they had taken a massive hit when Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out. Luckily for them, as one of their star foreign players was ruled out, another joined them before the playoffs.

See Also: “He has a natural ability and skill…”: Dwayne Bravo on Pathirana

Farooqi’s NOC Issue

Farooqi’s return was initially in jeopardy due to an issue with his No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). However, following negotiations and reassurances, the matter was resolved, allowing Farooqi to rejoin the squad and bolster SRH’s bowling resources.

Farooqi was retained by SRH before the IPL 2024 auction. However, concerns arose regarding his participation in the league when the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) initially refused to grant him an NOC, following his decision to decline a central contract from the board. Subsequently, the ACB agreed to issue NOCs for the next two years. However, they rescinded this decision when Farooqi reversed his stance and expressed his intention to represent Afghanistan once again.

Overview of IPL 2024 Points Table

Rajasthan Royals hold the top spot in the IPL 2024 points table, closely followed by SRH. Recent matches have witnessed dramatic shifts in standings, reflecting the intense competition among teams vying for playoff berths.