Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
Last night, the loser of the RCB and MI match was going to be in big trouble in terms of trying to make it to the playoffs. Tonight, a similar scenario awaits Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals, with both sides needing a win to stay in touch with the top four.
DD played arguably the best batting team in their last game (CSK), and RR the best bowling side (SRH), and both are in need of improved performances in this crunch game.
Delhi Daredevils have promised plenty with the bat in the last two games, scoring a total of 417 runs, and would be confident of continuing the good batting run they are currently on. Also, they’d fancy their chances of restricting RR, a side struggling with the bat at the moment. However, if they just expect this to happen, they’ll be in for a shock – they’ll need to put in a better bowling effort than what was on show against CSK.
Rajasthan Royals looked on track to beat SRH, but all that ended up happening was criticism aimed at their batting for a disappointing chase. Opinions differed among fans on who was most to blame, instead of rejoicing in victory after their bowlers did a superb job in restricting SRH to just 31 runs in their final five overs. Ajinkya Rahane tried his best to change gears during his unbeaten 65, but it wasn’t the case, in the midst of losing his more powerful strike partners such as Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler to soft dismissals. Can RR put a complete batting performance together?
Key to a Delhi Daredevils win
DD certainly have what it takes to win this clash.
They didn’t win the crunch moments against CSK, and paid a price as a result. DD couldn’t take regular wickets to stem the flow of runs, and against a RR side whose power hitters aren’t firing, a great opportunity awaits DD.
One thinks if that Glenn Maxwell can fire as we know we can, with contributions from a potentially brutal top order, DD can score enough runs to defeat RR. Can they win the crunch moments in a crunch game?
Key to a Rajasthan Royals win
Ajinkya Rahane struggled to shift gears in key moments of the chase against SRH, and he was rightly under the spotlight as a result.
However, RR’s power hitters are hitting blank. Ben Stokes got bowled off a half-tracker from Yusuf Pathan, who was bowling just his second ball of IPL 2018. For RS 12.5 crore, RR just aren’t getting enough from Ben Stokes. More is needed also from Rahul Tripathi and Jos Buttler as time is running out in the quest to find top form in the race for the playoffs.
Also, expect RR’s bowlers to face a stiffer test from DD, so top order wickets is key to get into the middle order. Can RS 11.5 crore man Jaydev Unadkat produce better? Can the spinners effectively target Glenn Maxwell, who has been dismissed four times in 36 balls against spin this season? It remains to be seen.
Predicted teams
DD’s bowlers went the distance against CSK, but it’s worth persisting with them again after a good effort against KKR, albeit when defending 219.
Delhi Daredevils XI: 1. Colin Munro, 2. Prithvi Shaw, 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Rishabh Pant (wk), 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Vijay Shankar, 7. Rahul Tewatia, 8. Liam Plunkett, 9. Amit Mishra, 10. Avesh Khan, 11. Trent Boult
Despite their inconsistent performances, RR can overtake RCB and sit equal fourth with KKR if they win. Expect them to stick with a similar, if not same, team.
Rajasthan Royals XI: 1. Ajinkya Rahane (c), 2. Rahul Tripathi, 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Ben Stokes, 5. Jos Buttler (wk), 6. Mahipal Lomror, 7. K Gowtham, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Dhawal Kulkarni, 10. Ish Sodhi, 11. Jaydev Unadkat
Stats and Facts:
- Head-to-Head: Matches: 17, DD 6, RR 11. The previous meeting between these two teams was in IPL 2018, where RR defended 71 in six overs in a rain affected game.
- RR have beaten DD in the last seven meetings between the two teams.
- RR have taken 33 wickets this season, the least of all teams (even RCB)!
- DD will move off the bottom of the table, ahead of both MI and RR, with a win tonight.
Prediction:
RR have a great record against DD, and in trying circumstances, they need another badly.
However, DD’s batsmen look in better form, and I expect them to fire against RR. I think Colin Munro will have his best game in IPL 2018 to date, and DD’s batting will be too much for RR. DD to win.
