After putting up a commanding show against
MI, Rajasthan Royals enjoyed a 4-day break and are ready to take on another
in-form team, Kings XI Punjab. Not so long ago, KXIP were sitting under us in
the points table. A 5-match winning streak has pumped them up and they come
into their game with their tails up. It’s a do-or-die game for us, while Punjab
will treat it the same way, even though a loss keeps them alive in the
tournament.
Plot:
We got to 10 points after the emphatic win over
Mumbai, thanks to a Stokes century & a Samson half-century. It was pleasing
to watch two of the senior pros get back into form at such a crucial juncture
in the tournament. The batting order looks more settled than ever at the
moment. Kings XI have also been bringing their best to the field with both bat
& ball. Agarwal’s absence at the top hasn’t hampered their late surge.
The Royals have to polish their death
bowling though. In the last few games, batsmen have taken way too many runs off
some of the bowlers. None of the bowlers have posed the kind of threat Jofra
Archer brings when he runs in. The spinners have kept proceedings quiet, but
wickets are what they will be after. While Gopal picked up crucial wickets
against MI, Tewatia will have to come to the party as well to keep the pressure
on.
Gayle has been a force to deal with for
some teams ever since he has regularised his spot in KXIP’s team. Most teams
opt to have a go at him with an off-spinner, but the Royals might rely on
Gopal’s knack of getting the big fish out, or will we see someone like Riyan
Parag roll his arm over too. The last meeting was an absolute run-fest, and
Tewatia stole the show with his 5 sixes off Cottrell. Much has changed since
& both teams have been through a lot of interesting situations. 2 points
are all that will matter on the night.
Stage:
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
It was at Abu Dhabi that the Royals pulled off the
majestic chase against MI on Sunday. It will be great if the toss can finally
drop Smith’s way though. The conditions at all the venues have changed and
there’s a better balance between bat & ball. A slow pitch calls for batting
first and setting s stiff total. However, if the pitch doesn’t look too dry.
Chasing is always an option.
Acts:
Jofra Archer vs Chris Gayle
Gayle has always has never really cut loose against
Archer, who has dismissed him twice in 25 balls. Gayle has managed to pick up
35 runs, but we all know that’s a below-par expectation of him. Archer’s pace
& bounce can be a strong force to keep the storm from hitting Abu Dhabi.
Robin Uthappa vs Mohammed Shami
Uthappa has been playing some lip-smacking strokes
in the Powerplay. It is indeed disheartening to see him get out after a start.
Hopefully, that’ll change when he faces Mohammed Shami. Uthappa has belted 60
runs off the 39 balls he has faced from the speedster. Robin’s has only lost
his wicket once to him. Can Uthappa keep an in-form Shami from causing early
problems?
Sanju Samson vs Ravi Bishnoi
We all saw what Sanju Samson’s plans against the
spinners, mostly leggies. He likes to send the ball packing back over their
heads. In the last game, the rookie spinner bowled 12 balls to Sanju, who took
him for 16 runs. We know that if Sanju hits the ball off the middle, no ground
can hold his sixes back. Will he hang in there, get his eye in and then take on
Bishnoi, or will it be bang-bang from the first ball?
This game has a lot at stake. Two confident
teams will be vying to keep climbing up the Dream11 IPL points table. If KXIP
win they will move to 14 points, but if Rajasthan Royals get across the line,
they will be tied on 12 with the Kings. Things are getting tricket &
messier as teams are looking to squeeze into the top 4 in what will be a final
dash. All three departments of the game will need to be on their toes for any
opportunity that comes their way. The Royals have 2 points in their sights,
nothing else.
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