Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
One week of great IPL action has passed, and we now have two teams both coming off wins. Like a nervous boy on a date, both teams stuttered in their opening games, but then gained some confidence with improved performances in their respective second outings. Can they continue to make a good impression?
Stop the press – Royal Challengers Bangalore had their second match victory set up by the bowlers. Yes, the bowlers. Something we haven’t associated with RCB for years. After a fast start by Kings XI Punjab in Bangalore two nights ago, Umesh Yadav simply came into his own, taking three wickets in a single over within the powerplay to set RCB on their way. Special mention also to Washington Sundar, who can now be starting to feel more at home in IPL 2018 with an impressive return of 2/22 in his four. With Chris Woakes and Yuzvendra Chahal yet to hit their best form, there are encouraging signs for RCB that their bowling attack can contribute well to the team’s cause, despite their sixth bowler conundrum being a cause for concern.
In terms of Rajasthan Royals, what do we make of them? A thrashing in their first up game and a rain-affected victory in their second suggests they still have to win over a lot of critics. They have spent significant amounts of money on a few certain players, who are yet to step up so far, and need to do so if they are to gain momentum in this tournament. The performance of Sanju Samson so far in IPL 2018 is cause for encouragement, as well as Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler making contributions with the bat against Delhi. In terms of the bowling, it’s hard to make a proper judgement yet, after being tasked with defending only 125 first up against SRH, and then bowling just six overs in defence of 71 against DD.
A fantastic opportunity awaits both teams – who can make it two out of three?
Key to a Royal Challengers Bangalore win
Despite victory against Kings XI Punjab, RCB’s team balance still leaves a little to be desired. Their squad allows for a sixth bowling option, with Colin de Grandhomme, Corey Anderson and Moeen Ali all available for selection. So far in this tournament, they have stuck with their main five bowlers, simply because they don’t have any other options to turn to.
In this game, it is very likely RCB will go in with the same team, so the five bowlers all need to contribute both control and wickets. The performance of Umesh Yadav could very well dictate how well RCB go in this game, as he has shown he can limit the runs and take wickets to put his team on the front foot. However, the likes of Chris Woakes and Yuzvendra Chahal need to step up a little more, as both went for 10.80 and 9.50 per over respectively against KXIP.
Also, RCB’s middle order will be under the spotlight. Since IPL 2016, RCB’s top order averages 38.95, whereas numbers five to eight average half that (19.45). The top four of Quinton de Kock, Brendon McCullum, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers are key, as the last match again showed, but more is needed from the likes of Sarfraz Khan and Mandeep Singh.
Key to a Rajasthan Royals win
Can they get into the RCB middle order without too much damage caused?
We all know RCB’s reliance on their top order, so RR have an opportunity to make an impact in this game by executing solid plans against RCB’s most important players at the top. As mentioned, it’s hard to make a proper judgement on RR’s bowlers yet, but Jaydev Unadkat, India’s most expensive player in the auction, has not shown anywhere near the form required to justify his price tag. He needs to start now, and so does Ben Laughlin, a proven T20 bowler.
The good news is that Ben Stokes’ back is holding up well when bowling, so expect to see him bowl a little more. A good bowling performance by RR, in conjunction with building on their encouraging batting performance vs DD is key to victory for them.
Predicted teams
RCB stuck with the same XI even after a defeat, so expect them to do the same after a victory.
Royal Challengers Bangalore XI: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Brendon McCullum, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. AB de Villiers, 5. Sarfraz Khan, 6. Mandeep Singh, 7. Chris Woakes, 8. Washington Sundar, 9. Umesh Yadav, 10. Kulwant Khejroliya, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal
For RR, Jofra Archer could be in line to play, but his fitness is still a question mark. RR’s batting line up promises plenty, and against an RCB side that relies on five bowlers to get through all 20 overs, they have a responsibility to deliver a good total for the team.
Rajasthan Royals XI: 1. Ajinkya Rahane (c), 2. D’Arcy Short, 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Ben Stokes, 5. Rahul Tripathi, 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. K Gowtham, 8. Shreyas Gopal, 9. Dhawal Kulkarni, 10. Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Ben Laughlin/Jofra Archer
Stats & Facts:
- Head-to-Head: Matches: 16, RCB: 8, RR: 7, No result: 1. At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RR have won 3 games to RCB’s 2.
- Virat Kohli averages 19.85 against RR – his lowest against any team. AB de Villiers averages 48.50.
- Yuzvendra Chahal needs two wickets to surpass Vinay Kumar as RCB’s all-time wicket taker.
- In all T20s, D’Arcy short scores at 7.73 per over against spin, and 9.90 against pace. Ajinkya Rahane, who averages 61.30 with a SR of 145.8 at Bengaluru, scores at 6.92 vs spin and 7.28 against pace. Will RCB bowl spin in the powerplay?
Prediction:
Great opportunity for both sides to build on their second match wins. Despite not being perfect, I saw plenty of improvement in RCB’s performance against KXIP, and I back them to get two in a row at home. Umesh Yadav is in great form, and the RCB top order has what it takes to take the game away from RR. RCB for the win.
