Rajasthan Royals resumed their IPL 2021 campaign on September 21 with a thrilling, last-gasp win against Punjab Kings in Dubai. The Royals, who are currently 5th in the table, are up against Rishabh Pant’s Delhi Capitals next, on Saturday, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. It’s an opportunity for our opponents to cement their position at the top, while for us it’s a big chance to move up into the top four.
Previous Meeting:
We last played DC in April during the first half of IPL 2021, and it turned out to be yet another last-over affair. We produced a brilliant show while bowling, with Jaydev Unadkat putting in a sensational shift claiming 3/15, as Delhi batted first. Chasing a modest target of 148, we lost our top-order early and looked to be heading towards a disappointing defeat, but a valiant knock by David Miller (62 off 43) followed by a superb cameo by Chris Morris (36* off 18) took us home at the end.
Key Stats
Overall H2H Record: Played - 23, RR - 12, DC -11
Form Guide against DC: WLLLL
Overall Form Guide: WWLWL
Our form in recent seasons against the Capitals hasn’t been great, but we have won our most recent match against them as mentioned above. There are a few milestones coming up for some of our boys too, with David Miller 48 runs away from 2000 IPL runs. All-rounder Chris Morris is 5 sixes away from 100 sixes in T20s, while our new signing Glenn Phillips is 2 runs away from 4000 runs in T20 cricket. It will be interesting to see whether Miller or Phillips make it to the XI.
Overseas Combination
Against Punjab, Evin Lewis, Liam Livingstone, Chris Morris, and Mustafizur Rahman formed our overseas contingent, providing balance in both departments. But given the change in venue and that Delhi Capitals are in great batting form – you never know what could happen. We have a rich group of talent to choose from for the game, and with Abu Dhabi expected to have a slower wicket, could Tabraiz Shamsi make his Royals debut?
Players to watch
Besides our overseas guns, all eyes will be on the likes of Kartik Tyagi and Mahipal Lomror, given their performances against Punjab. While Kartik’s talent has been talked about since his U19 days, it was pleasing to see Lomror, a Rajasthan boy through and through, get his opportunity and make the most of it. Expect more from him in the games to come. Among the seniors, we look forward to Sanju and Morris to show their class, after performances they wouldn’t be too pleased with.
As for Delhi Capitals, their skipper Rishabh Pant will be key to their batting, with his experience and runs against us. Not to mention, the outstanding pace attack including Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, who are in great form with the new ball.
In what would be the first-ever RR vs DC clash in Abu Dhabi, we’re looking forward to dismantling one of the best sides going around in this IPL season. We are so excited, hope you are too! Halla Bol.
What did think of our win against PBKS? Send in your views on Twitter at @rajasthanroyals or to me @cricketpun_duh
