Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Last night, it was the battle between two first up winners in IPL 2018. Tonight, it will be the battle of two first up losers, who both suffered pretty comprehensive defeats. Rajasthan Royals take on Delhi Daredevils in a quest for both teams to pick up win number one for the tournament.
For Rajasthan Royals, after an awful return to the IPL, there is a major boost. They are back to their cherished and formidable home ground, with a large crowd possibly providing much needed impetus to a batting line up that stuttered badly against Sunrisers Hyderabad. After a thrashing, like the one RR received just two nights ago, it’s a positive thing to get back on the field as soon as possible to try make things right. The Royals have that opportunity in Jaipur.
The Delhi Daredevils aren’t without their own issues either. The make up of their side is still up in the air following a brutal onslaught from KL Rahul, after Delhi continued to lose wickets at the wrong time during their batting innings. Colin Munro is a key player, but struggled in the first match, as was the case with Delhi’s spinners, particularly Amit Mishra, who may be selected in this game because of his good record against RR (26 wickets in 16 matches at 16.38). The return of Glenn Maxwell will be a big boost, because with a bowling line up still unsure of things, extra batting power could be crucial. With five away games to start their campaign, they need to find the right
combinations, and fast.
Key to a Rajasthan Royals win
Rajasthan’s batting against Sunrisers Hyderabad was a disaster, mustering only 125/9. The way Shikhar Dhawan was going in the chase, he
could have got those runs all on his own.
RR are not without batting quality, though. Despite them still being unsure of who bats where, the likes of D’Arcy Short, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi and Jos Buttler are players many sides would like to have in their team. With a bowling attack still finding its feet, the onus is on RR’s batsmen to put on a better showing in front of their home fans.
There are quite a few expensive players in this RR side, and they need to step up to avoid two straight defeats.
Key to a Delhi Daredevils win
Are Delhi capable of restricting RR’s batsmen like Sunrisers Hyderabad were able to?
Trent Boult, Mohammed Shami and Amit Mishra, three of DD’s most experienced bowlers were all quite expensive, bearing the brunt of the quickest IPL fifty ever by KL Rahul. The make up of their team remains to be seen – does Shahbaz Nadeem replace Amit Mishra? With the other frontline legspinner Rahul Tewatia bowling well against KXIP, and an onus on greater control, this could very well be the case.
There is some power in the RR batting line up, and DD need to do everything they can to build dot balls, and pick up regular wickets.
Possible teams:
Stuart Binny could replace K Gowtham for RR, who had a tough outing against SRH (out for zero, and bowled only one over). They are suffering with injuries to bowlers at the moment (Jofra Archer, Dushmantha Chameera and Zahir Khan) so the likes of Jaydev Unadkat, Ben Laughlin and Dhawal Kulkarni have a key role to play.
Rajasthan Royals XI: 1. D’Arcy Short, 2. Ajinkya Rahane (c), 3. Rahul Tripathi, 4. Sanju Samson (wk), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler, 7. Stuart Binny, 8. Shreyas Gopal, 9. Dhawal Kulkarni, 10. Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Ben Laughlin
The return of Glenn Maxwell could see Dan Christian pushed out of the side, despite a respectable 1/12 off two overs against KXIP. Amit Mishra could also miss out after an expensive outing with the ball in Mohali on Sunday.
Delhi Daredevils XI: 1. Gautam Gambhir (c), 2. Colin Munro, 3. Shreyas Iyer, 4. Rishabh Pant, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Vijay Shankar, 7. Chris Morris, 8. Rahul Tewatia, 9. Shahbaz Nadeem, 10. Trent Boult, 11. Mohammed Shami
Stats & Facts:
- This will be the first IPL match at the Sawai Masingh Stadium in Jaipur since 2013.
- Rajasthan Royals have won 24 of 33 matches at this venue (34 of 49 games overall at home), including three of four against Delhi in Jaipur.
- Gautam Gambhir plays his 150th IPL match, with the joint most IPL half centuries (36).
- Ajinkya Rahane enjoys playing against DD: 632 runs at 63.20 in 15 matches – his highest tally against any IPL opponent.
- In all five games so far in IPL 2018, the team chasing has won.
Prediction:
A game where both sides will be looking to make amends after disappointing first up defeats. Rajasthan have a superb record at home, but can their batting fire? I have a feeling Delhi could come very close in this match, against a RR side still looking for its best combinations. However, RR would be hurting more from the first up defeat in my opinion, and have enough power in their batting line up to continue their strong home record. RR to win in a tight game.
