IPL 6: Match 8 - RR vs KKR - Rajasthan Royals Preview

FILE PHOTO: Rahul Dravid bats for Rajasthan Royals

“We are happy to go into every match as the underdogs.” One would be highly familiar with these words if they have heard Rahul Dravid speaking at the presentation ceremony of every match since last year. Yes, they are the underdogs, with a big bite. Almost all the seven matches this season have witnessed a sheer domination of class over rampant hitting. If the trend continues for the next two months, then Rajasthan Royals could easily make it to the play-offs, with the likes of Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane and Brad Hodge in their ranks.

The 2008 champions have a very able and tactical captain cum coach in Dravid, who rarely fails to inspire the youngsters. Shane Watson, who is likely to play his first game today, as he was seen practicing with the squad yesterday, will add firepower at the top along with Kusal Perera, the Jayasuriya-clone, who would be tested against Brett Lee’s pace and Balaji’s accuracy. Rahane, the highest run-getter for RR last year, will be eager to get his bat blazing, to make his mark for an inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad. With Dravid and Brad Hodge, probably the most experienced Twenty20 player in the world, in the side, Sunil Narine’s bowling abilities could be tested today. In Stuart Binny and Kevon Cooper, they have two aggressive batsmen who can change the complexion of the game within a few overs.

Sreesanth was on the money in his first game and will be expected to lead the young Indian bowlers like Siddarth Trivedi and Rahul Shukla, who don’t have the much needed international exposure. They will be up against seasoned campaigners like Gautam Gambhir and Jacques Kallis, who can get going under all conditions. Samuel Badree is known for his bowling in the shortest format and could be handy against KKR’s middle order.

Conditions

This will be the first match in Jaipur this season and the pitch at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium is expected to have a little cover of grass on it, thus assisting the fast bowlers. Another even contest between the bat and the ball could be in place today.

Head to head

KKR leads 6-4 in the IPL matches against RR, with both teams winning one match each in 2012. When they faced each other at Jaipur in 2012, the Royals emerged victorious by 22 runs, with solid contributions from the top order and Cooper turning out to be the chief destructor with the ball.

Key Players

Rahul Dravid – Like he showed in the last match against DD, Dravid could keep the runs flowing, using solid technique and astute timing, rather than unconventional shots. Should he contribute at the top of the order, other batsmen could go on and play their natural game to ensure a big total for the Royals.

Sreesanth – The Kerala pacer has found the same swing and pace that brought him into the limelight a few years ago in South Africa. On a helpful pitch at Jaipur, if he finds his bearings in his four overs, it could be a terrible time for the Kolkata batsmen.

RR’s strategy

Their strategy would be as simple and methodological as their captain. Bat first, put up a convincing score on the board, and then to bowl in the right areas to arrest the flow of runs.

Probable XI

Should Shane Watson return to the team today, one of Badree or Perera might have to sit out of the team. Cooper will stick to his place after a fine spell at the death in the last game.

Shane Watson, Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Dravid(C), Brad Hodge, Stuart Binny, Shreevats Goswami(W), Kevon Cooper, Samuel Badree, Sreesanth, Siddarth Trivedi, Rahul Shukla.