We are just moments away from the start of the 53rd match of Vivo IPL 12 between Delhi Capitals and the Rajasthan Royals which is expected to be a big match for both the teams. While Rajasthan Royals faces a must-win clash, they are not guaranteed a place even if they register a victory. The washout between RCB and RR proved to be a disastrous outcome for both the teams.
Rajasthan Royals needed a victory against Bangalore. However, the washout meant that they still kept their hopes alive in the tournament. They have to rely on a few other results to hope to progress through to the final four. Royal Challengers need to beat Hyderabad in the 8 pm game today while KKR and Kings XI Punjab cannot afford to win their respective games tomorrow if Rajasthan has to go through. However, the first priority is to win today’s clash.
Rajasthan will be missing the services of regular skipper Steve Smith. In all likelihood, Ajinkya Rahane will take up the role again and will look to continue the good turnaround for Rajasthan Royals. Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, will be looking to finish at the top two in order to give them a couple of shots at the final.
The absence of Kagiso Rababa for the rest of the tournament will be a huge setback for the Delhi Capitals who were heavily reliant on the services of the South Africa speedster. The form of Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order will be great signs for Delhi Capitals as he has got his side off to flying starts on several occasions.
Toss Report:
The toss was won by Rajasthan Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane and opted to bat first.
Here is what captains said:
Shreyas Iyer
It’s an important game for us, we need to have a mindset of playing every game as a knock-out match, we are in a good mood as a team. Our batsmen love to bat on good bouncy wickets, this been a slow wicket – we didn’t expect it, but we can’t blame the wickets for our poor show here. Two changes for us, Keemo and Ishant are in, they replace Suchith and Chris Morris
Ajinkya Rahane
We will bat first. The wicket looks dry, not sure how it will play, might get slower and slower, will look to put the runs on the board. For me, the team comes first, I respect their decisions, it’s a great challenge and it’s important to play well and win. We have a couple of changes, Ish Sodhi and Krishnappa Gowtham are in, for Smith and Unadkat. It’s all about giving our best.
Playing XI’s
Delhi Capitals
Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Colin Ingram, Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, Trent Boult
Rajasthan Royals
Ajinkya Rahane, Liam Livingstone, Sanju Samson, Mahipal Lomror, Riyan Parag, Stuart Binny, K Gowtham, Shreyas Gopal, Ish Sodhi, Varun Aaron, Oshane Thomas