Rajasthan Royals will face an uphill task when they meet the already qualified Delhi Capitals in the 53rd match of Vivo IPL 12 to harbour any hopes of going through to the playoffs. The previous clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals was washed out which meant that Royal Challengers Bangalore had to bow of the tournament. The groundstaff did a terrific job and the umpires even started a 5 over rain-curtailed match. However, the showers intervened again which prevented any further play.
Courtesy the solitary point, Rajasthan Royals managed to hang by a thread and needs to win their final group match against the Delhi Capitals to keep their hopes alive for the playoffs. In that case, RR has to hope that both Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Sunrisers Hyderabad and neither Kings XI Punjab nor Kolkata Knight Riders win their final group game.
Rajasthan Royals have played some very good cricket in the last few matches which have meant that they are still in with a shout of making it through to the playoffs just like last year. Some of the individual performances from the players has been exemplary. The form of Shreyas Gopal has been a huge worry for the oppositions.
He has bowled his heart out and has bagged some big wickets. Even in the previous match, he bagged the wickets of AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli together for the 3rd time in his career. He also managed to bag a memorable hat-trick which he will cherish through the rest of his life.
The absence of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer will affect the balance of the side but the remaining players who have done a good job in a previous couple of matches will look to continue their good work. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals will also miss the services of their regular skipper Steve Smith who has left for Australia. In all likelihood, Ajinkya Rahane can again take charge of the franchise.
Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, have been brilliant in the tournament. Being the perennial underachievers of the tournament it has been a breakthrough season for the Delhi Capitals. They have already qualified for the playoffs. However, they will look to give themselves a chance of finishing in the top two by winning today’s clash against the Rajasthan Royals.
If DC wins today’s clash and MI loses their final match against Kolkata Knight Riders, DC will qualify through to the playoffs as one of the top two teams. Kagiso Rabada has been the biggest match winner for Delhi Capitals in the tournament so far but a niggle will force him to miss the rest of the tournament in order to get fit for the 2019 World Cup.
The batting department has been led quite admirably by Shikhar Dhawan who has slowly but steadily established himself at the top of the order. The southpaw has looked in ominous touch in the recent past and has got DC off to flying starts. Dhawan who will be the pillar for Team India in the 2019 World Cup is expected to play a big part in today’s clash.
The spin department for Delhi Capitals has also done an impressive job. The absence of Kagiso Rabada and Ishant Sharma spelt doom for DC as they were thrashed by the Chennai Super Kings by 80 runs. The likes of Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Sandeep Laimchhane has done a good job and will look to finish their group stage campaign with an impressive performance.
Predicted XI
Delhi Capitals
Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Colin Ingram, Sherfane Rutherford, Axar Patel, Chris Morris, Jagadeesha Suchith, Amit Mishra, Trent Boult
Rajasthan Royals
Ajinkya Rahane, Liam Livingstone, Sanju Samson (wk), Ashton Turner, Riyan Parag, Stuart Binny, Mahipal Lomror, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat/Ish Sodhi, Varun Aaron, Oshane Thomas
Pitch Conditions
The surface at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi has been on the slower side all through the course of the tournament. While Delhi Capitals has been fantastic in away conditions, they have a 50% record in home conditions this season. It is mainly due to the slow and low surface of Delhi which hasn’t allowed any of the batsmen to go after the shots. In all likelihood, it will be a low scoring clash on display in New Delhi.
Weather Conditions
It is expected to be a hot and humid day in New Delhi with the temperatures going as high as 40 degrees. It will be a challenging day on display for both the teams as the match will be played from 4 pm. Chances of rain are nil and in all likelihood, we should witness a full 40 overs clash.
Match Prediction
Rajasthan Royals need a win to keep their hopes alive on the tournament while Delhi Capitals also need a win to finish at the top two. Both teams have been affected by injuries and national selection duties which will force them to play without their first choice players in their last group game. I have a gut feeling that Rajasthan Royals will finish their group stage campaign with a victory and keep their slim chances alive.