IPL 6: Match 13 – PWI vs RR – Rajasthan Royals Preview

Rajasthan Royals proved all those who wrote them off wrong as they played the role of giant-killers against Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders. Their players have clicked at the right moment, which has meant that no one player has been left to carry the team alone. They have looked a calm team, undaunted by the Golliaths that they have faced, and should approach the match against Pune Warriors India with the same attitude.

Although not all their batsmen have fired, it’s only been two matches and it would be too soon to start panicking on that front. Rahane has been consistent over the two games, chipping in with handy innings of 36 and 28. Dravid showed that the time he took off from commentary after the India-England series to prepare for the IPL has been put to good use, with a Man-of-the-match winning 65 against Delhi. Brad Hodge came to the fore with a 46 that won them the game against KKR. Watson and Kusal Perera haven’t yet left a mark, but they have the rest of the tournament to do that.

The Royals’ bowling has been settled over the last two matches, and the flair has been brought back to it by the return of the overexcited Sreesanth, who has done well in both matches so far, getting a wicket in each and not going for too many. Siddharth Trivedi picked up the MOM award for his brilliant 3-23 against KKR. Many small time purchases like Kevon Cooper and Rahul Shukla have been playing their part extremely well, the former now developing into a genuine match-winner.

Conditions

The weather is likely to be in the low 30s throughout the evening, providing for warm playing conditions, though there may be some relief for the players in the form of a gentle breeze. The pitch should support batsmen if they are willing to wait it out a little before going berserk, as shown by Kings XI batsmen in their short run-chase on this ground a few days ago.

Head to Head

The head to head goes 3-0 in favour of the Royals, and given their giant killing of KKR and Delhi, and Pune’s want to show exactly how the cookie crumbles, it looks like it’s going to be 4-0 after this match.

Key Players

Ajinkya Rahane - He’s not been explosive in either of the two innings, but he has scored handy runs at a good rate. He provides the stability at the top of the order, with both his opening partners failing. He gives the likes of Hodge and Binny the license to go after it from the word go when they come in. Every team would want him in their opening slot, so RR should consider themselves lucky.

Kevon Cooper - Proving more than useful for Rajasthan last season, the not-yet-widely-known Kevon Cooper has certainly made a mark again for the Royals by taking 6 wickets in two matches. Heavily built like most West Indians, he can be handy with the bat lower down the order too.

Strategy

Rajasthan have proven that they can set targets and defend them twice now, but I personally believe that the Royals are a team more suited to chasing, due to the fact that their batting order can be shuffled around a little bit. But why fix what isn’t broken? If given the choice, they should continue setting targets and defending.

Possible XI

Not much change is expected in the XI, with most of the team doing well. The others will get there.

Rahane, Watson, Dravid, Binny, Hodge, Yagnik, Cooper, Sreesanth, Trivedi, Shukla, Tait.