Rajasthan Royals & Mumbai Indians have
had contrasting journeys in this IPL. While MI have been in the top 4
consistently, the Royals have struggled to get in after being there early on
during the season. We find ourselves in a position which MI faced during a
couple of seasons in the past; they even turned the season around from there
too. What’s to say that the Royals beat the top team in the league so far and
the tables turn?
Plot:
Rajasthan Royals are in a situation where
it’s clear that they have to win their remaining matches. That’s not all; they
would also like a few results going their way. CSK are all but out after their
loss to Mumbai Indians, but KKR, SRH & KXIP are all vying for that fourth
spot in the points table. Smith has mentioned time & again that we have
shown sparks of brilliance, and have lost games from winning positions. It’s a
matter of closing games out the right way. The whole team needs to get
together, forget about all the pressure of not performing and be the best they
can be against Mumbai.
Mumbai have been well balanced with both
bat & ball. They have quality pacers & Rahul Chahar has proven to be an
effective asset during the middle overs. The Royals batsmen will have to put on
their smart hats and bat against them tactfully. Barring the previous game
against SRH, the Royals have bowled considerably well. Their aim will be to
rally around Archer’s form and pick up quick wickets in the Powerplay,
especially those of Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma (if he plays) and one of
Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan. If they manage to pull this off, their
middle-order can be put under the pump.
During the last meeting, Mumbai managed to
send the Royals top order back in quick time & that put us on the back foot
in the chase. Buttler went on to score a fighting half-century, but was undone
by a blinder from Pollard in the deep. We would certainly hope that Buttler’s
form against MI continues. It will be interesting to see where Stokesy bats in
this game, and if he drops down the order, does Buttler retain the opening
slot?
Stage:
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Rajasthan Royals’ last win came at this venue, when
they beat CSK comfortably. The average first innings scores have dropped to
under 160 in this tournament over here. One of the surfaces is conducive to
quick bowling while the other in Abu Dhabi has been quite dry and favours spin.
The surface being played on could have a huge role in the playing XI that will
be chosen.
Acts:
Steve Smith vs Jasprit Bumrah
Steve Smith got out to Bumrah in the previous game,
trying to play an uncharacteristic heave across the line. Smith has avoided
playing such shots early in his innings for a while now. This is a battle of
one of the world’s most skilful bowlers against a batsman who tries to
out-think his opponents.
Sanju Samson vs Rahul Chahar
If someone can add pressure on Chahar, early on in
is spell, it’s Samson. He likes to take spinners on and with one boundary
likely to be on the short side, he could target Chahar with his lovely bat
swing. Chahar has some skills up his sleeve too; bowling with a left-arm
orthodox spinner’s run-up is one of the latest. Get your popcorn out if the duo
faces off.
Jofra Archer vs Quinton de Kock
Archer has been bowling with his tail up. He has
also rewarded Smith with wickets whenever he has been brought on to bowl. De
Kock on the other hand, has found form at the business end for MI. Getting his
wicket early could be the key for the Royals on the field. Archer vs de Kock, two
players in the prime of their careers is a battle worth watching.
Beating Mumbai Indians could just be the push
Rajasthan Royals need for the rest of this season. This is the start of a mission
to get to 14 points. The other results are not really under the Royals’
control. Andrew McDonald had a simple message to the entire team after the last
loss. He asked the players to take off all the shackles and play their best
game in the middle. At the press conference, he added that a team that has
nothing to lose is a very dangerous team. And, that is exactly what we want to
be against MI – dangerous.
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