Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 23: RR vs DC Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | RR vs DC Dream11 Prediction Today | Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report

The return to Sharjah is like the return home for Rajasthan Royals. After two straight wins there, including the highest run-chase in IPL history, the Royals arrive on the back of three straight defeats.

And, it is the manner of the defeats that would have disappointed Steve Smith and co. They weren’t in any of the matches, losing all three convincingly across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which makes this clash a vital one. Also, with Ben Stokes set to play the next game as he is currently in the UAE undertaking quarantine, the Royals will want to welcome him on the back of a crucial victory here. So, the onus is on the top four to deliver a lot more than they have in recent matches, where they lost early wickets on all occasions.

But it won’t be easy as they run into the in-form Delhi Capitals. Shreyas Iyer’s men have also enjoyed success at Sharjah this season, slamming 228 against KKR. But, unlike the Royals, the Capitals have performed well across the three grounds in IPL 2020. Kagiso Rabada has led the way superbly, with apt support from his fellow countryman Anrich Nortje. The top order, led by the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer, have looked solid, while Rishabh Pant has been consistent. And, of course, the form of Marcus Stoinis as a finisher has been hugely encouraging.

So, can Delhi build on their form, win here, and go top of the IPL 2020 Table, as Jos Buttler and R Ashwin look to do battle after the infamous incident last season?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Sanju Samson’s drop in form away from Sharjah has been disappointing for RR. He has scored just 12 runs in his last three innings. However, he returns to Sharjah today – the ground where he scored 74 (32) and 85 (42) earlier this season.
• The same applies for Steve Smith. RR need their captain to bat longer periods, which hasn’t been the case in the past three matches as Smith has scored just 14 runs. However, like Samson, Smith returns to a ground where he batted well earlier in the season: 69 (47) and 50 (27). Also, Smith has performed solidly so far vs DC in his career: 5 inns, 149 runs, avg. 49.67.
• Prithvi Shaw has been solid in IPL 2020 (5 matches, 179 runs, avg. 35.80, SR 147.93, 2 50s). Also, Shaw has made a good start to life against the Royals: 3 matches, 97 runs, avg. 32.33, SR 147.42).
• His opening partner, Shikhar Dhawan, has had a slower start to his tournament (5 matches, 127 runs, avg. 25.40, SR 122.11). However, this could be the game where he fires, as he has a decent record vs RR: 17 inns, 485 runs, avg. 32.33, SR 126.63, 5 50s). Also, Dhawan scored 54 (27) in a chase of 190+ vs RR last season.
• Rishabh Pant loves playing against RR, and he could go big at Sharjah. In four matches against them, he has slammed 220 runs at an average of 110 and strike rate of 188.03. In IPL 2019, Pant smashed 53* (38) and 78* (36) vs RR.
• Also, Pant has been mighty consistent in IPL 2020 (31, 37*, 28, 38, 37), with a strike rate of 139.02. Can he get 50+ today?
• Shreyas Iyer was dominant at Sharjah earlier this season, hitting 88* (38) vs KKR. The DC skipper will be keen for another strong display here and improve his career record vs RR (6 inns, 118 runs, avg. 23.60, SR 129.67).
• Jos Buttler returned to form with 70 (44) last game vs MI. Also, Buttler has enjoyed success vs DC in the past, with 144 runs in five innings at an average of 36 and SR 187.01.
• Marcus Stoinis is fast becoming a crucial player for DC. He has hit two fifties in five knocks in IPL 2020, with a superb strike rate of 198.38.
• Rahul Tewatia hit a famous five sixes in a row in his last game at this ground.
• What more can be said about the brilliant Kagiso Rabada? The South African quick has taken at least two wickets in 11 of his last 12 IPL matches, and has 12 wickets in five games so far in IPL 2020 (Purple Cap holder).
• His teammate, Anrich Nortje, has taken seven wickets in five matches in IPL 2020.
• Jofra Archer will be key for RR. Can he take multiple wickets today? He has five wickets in five games in IPL 2020, and one in two matches vs DC. Also, Archer can contribute with the bat, with a superb strike rate of 238.88 so far in 2020 (86 runs).
• Shreyas Gopal has taken five wickets in three games for RR vs DC. However, Sharjah is a tough place to bowl for spinners, which is reflected in Gopal’s figures so far in 2020 (1/82 in eight overs).

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 20, DC 9, RR 11. Delhi have won the past three matches against Rajasthan.
• Sanju Samson averages 18.57 in seven innings vs DC. Can he improve on this record, just like he did against CSK earlier in the tournament?
• Tom Curran, RR’s designated death over specialist, has had a tough tournament to date (5 matches, 3 wickets, econ. 11.30).
• Shreyas Gopal to Prithvi Shaw as a tactic for RR? Gopal has dismissed Shaw twice in 14 balls in IPL cricket.
• Axar Patel (economy of 4.6) has the best economy rate among all bowlers who have bowled at least 10 overs this season.

Possible Playing 11

Amit Mishra, who has 20 wickets in 11 games for DC vs RR, is out of the tournament with a finger injury. However, with both R Ashwin and Axar Patel bowling well, DC are covered in terms of spin options.

Delhi Capitals: 1. Prithvi Shaw, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Rishabh Pant (wk), 5. Marcus Stoinis, 6. Shimron Hetmyer, 7. Axar Patel, 8. R Ashwin, 9. Harshal Patel, 10. Anrich Nortje, 11. Kagiso Rabada

For RR, there will be a question of whether Steve Smith opens the batting at a ground where he has hit two half centuries so far.

Rajasthan Royals: 1. Steve Smith (c), 2. Jos Buttler (wk), 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Yashasvi Jaiswal/Robin Uthappa, 5. Mahipal Lomror, 6. Rahul Tewatia, 7. Tom Curran, 8. Shreyas Gopal, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Kartik Tyagi, 11. Ankit Rajpoot

Sharjah Pitch and Weather Report

Every team that has batted first at Sharjah has hit 200+. In fact, Sunrisers Hyderabad is the only team to fail to reach 200, whether batting first or second. More terrific batting conditions can be expected here, with a great batting track and short boundaries on offer.

The average first innings score at Sharjah in 2020 is 218.75 (four games). The team batting first has won three out of the four games on this ground, which could prompt the captain who wins the toss to bat. However, interestingly, Rajasthan’s last win (vs KXIP), came when they chose to bowl.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Team that bats first to win? This will ultimately depend on whether the team batting first can dominate, set a 210+ score and defend well. Delhi look more capable of doing this right now, but Rajasthan’s form at Sharjah earlier in the tournament shows they can certainly provide a challenge.

Thanks for reading!