Karunesh Kumar Rai
DC will be taking on RR on Thursday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium
Jaipur. Historically the venue has favoured the team bowling first.
Last season, even though three of the five matches were won by the
team batting first. This time, RR have a quality team in all
departments. RR contested the last with 6 batsmen, 5 bowlers and
Nandre Burger as an impact player. RR have a decent batting depth
starting from Butler and Yashasvi to Ashwin at number 7. RR have a
strong bowling line-up with the experience of Boult, Ashwin and Chahal
to quick bowling of Avesh Khan and Nandre Burger.
Anrich Nortje missed the first match for DC, but is possiblily playing
the 2nd match, Ishant Sharma was not available after two overs due to
his injury. Another pacer Sumit Kumar is a new comer. DC have a decent
spin bowling in the lights of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. They
have also a quality batting line-up but except of David Warner & Shai
Hope, nobody is really in touch, Rishabh Pant is also making a
comeback after his accident his batting form is also doubtful,
Mitchell Marsh is an explosive batsmen but he has also not played such
big innings in the T20 format. Rajasthan Royals head into this IPL
season after a brilliant start against Lucknow Super Kings. RR batted
first and posted 1943 runs. Trent Boult struck early in the second
innings as LSG capitulated in the run chase, RR eventually won the
game by 20 runs. Unlike their opponents, DC batters failed to show up
in the opening game against Punjab Kings. DC top order got off to a
good start but no one could convert it into big scores as Punjab Kings
won the game with four wickets to spare. As per our calculations, RR
are slight favourites in the upcoming fixture.
