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The 32nd match of IPL 2018 will see Rajasthan Royals taking on Delhi Daredevils at Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, Delhi. Delhi, languishing at bottom of the table, needs to win all their remaining matches to stand a chance to qualify for playoffs. Such poor have been Delhi Daredevil's campaign this IPL that Gautam Gambhir had to quit captaincy mid-season. Shreyas Iyer, who took captaincy hat from Gambhir, dared to turn DD's fortunes by shepherding his side to victory against KKR but the loss to CSK in following (DD's last) match meant that DD are back to square one.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals has endured a mixed season so far. At times they have put up a good performance but at others, they have found a way to under-perform. The loss in their last game against SRH will be hurting them - despite Rahane batting throughout the innings they failed to chase a modest looking target of 151 runs. The biggest worry for Royals will be the form of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes. Both Buttler and Stokes, has had an under-par season so far which leaves RR middle-order heavily reliant on young Sanju Samson. Another disappointment for Royals has been Jaydev Unadkat for whom RR incurred a sum of INR 11.5 crore. So far, Unadkat has picked up only 4 wickets from 7 games and is leaking 10.18 runs per over.
Playing XIs
Delhi Daredevils: With the bat, Glenn Maxwell is having an underwhelming season - 126 runs at an average of 18.00. DD can consider replacing Maxwell with Gurkeerat Singh and can bring in Daniel Christian for R Tewatia. This way DD's thin pace bowling attack will be strengthened and in Singh, they will have a good T20 utility player. Also, Junior Dala could come at an expense of Liam Plunkett who had a tough last game - 52/0 in 3 overs.
Likely XI: P Shaw, C Munro, S Iyer (C), R Pant, G Maxwell/G Singh, V Shankar, D Christian/R Tewatia, L Plunkett/ J Dala, A Khan, A Mishra, T Boult
Rajasthan Royals: Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane has plenty to ponder going into second half of IPL 2018. Against DD, RR can consider opening with Jos Buttler but that would mean that Rahul Tripathi will again find himself in the middle order. They can also think of replacing Buttler with Heinrich Klaasen. Royals can consider replacing Unadkat with Anureet Singh. Stuart Binny could also be replaced with Mahipal Lomror. They also have an option of swapping Tripathi with Aryaman Birla/ Prashant Chopra/ Jatin Saxena.
Likely XI: A Rahane(C), R Tripathi/A Birla/ P Chopra/ J Saxena, S Samson, B Stokes, J Buttler/ H Klaasen, M Lomror/ S Binny, K Gowtham, J Archer, D Kulkarni, J Unadkat/ A Singh, I Sodhi
Key Battles
Ajinkya Rahane vs Trent Boult
Both Ajinkya Rahane and Trent Boult are traditional cricketers. Both's T20 game is an extension of the longer version. Trent Boult, unlike his fellow mates who look to hit the hard length, relies on the swing with the new ball and tries to nail yorkers at the back end of innings. Ajinkya Rahane plays no-risk cricket and tries to build innings instead of going hammer and tongs. This season Rahane strikes at 130.05 i.e 7.803 runs per over, Boult is going for 9.18 runs per over. With traditionalists running into each other this promises to be an exciting contest.
Rishabh Pant vs Jofra Archer
In this season top five highest run-getters list, Rishabh Pant has the highest strike rate - 170.94 and Jofra Archer has recorded the best economy rate of 6.00 for a bowler. Archer has been a revelation in T20 circuit. With the ball, he clocks over 142 kph and nails his yorkers. If Pant can handle Archer's pace then DD chances of doing well will increase manifold.
Game Strategy
Delhi Daredevils: Though, not in great form, Stokes and Butter can pose a threat to oppositions on their days. DD can counter Stokes by bowling off-spin of Maxwell/Singh to him. It is widely known that Butler has a weakness against leg-spin. Amit Mishra can come handy against this powerful wicket-keeper from England. To Sanju Samson, DD can pack off-side and bowl back of the length outside off to take his favourite on-side out of the equation.
Rajasthan Royals: So far, Rajasthan Royals, have been reluctant to give the ball to Stokes and Archer in the powerplay. Against DD they should consider giving both of them at least three over upfront. Prithwi Shaw should be attacked with short stuff and Colin Munro should receiva e dose of Gowtham's off-spin. Pant's propensity of getting off-balanced while hitting means full and straight should be the ploy against him.
Key Battles
Ajinkya Rahane vs Trent Boult
Both Ajinkya Rahane and Trent Boult are traditional cricketers. Both's T20 game is an extension of the longer version. Trent Boult, unlike his fellow mates who look to hit the hard length, relies on the swing with the new ball and tries to nail yorkers at the back end of innings. Ajinkya Rahane plays no-risk cricket and tries to build innings instead of going hammer and tongs. This season Rahane strikes at 130.05 i.e 7.803 runs per over, Boult is going for 9.18 runs per over. With traditionalists running into each other this promises to be an exciting contest.
Rishabh Pant vs Jofra Archer
In this season top five highest run-getters list, Rishabh Pant has the highest strike rate - 170.94 and Jofra Archer has recorded the best economy rate of 6.00 for a bowler. Archer has been a revelation in T20 circuit. With the ball, he clocks over 142 kph and nails his yorkers. If Pant can handle Archer's pace then DD chances of doing well will increase manifold.
Game Strategy
Delhi Daredevils: Though, not in great form, Stokes and Butter can pose a threat to oppositions on their days. DD can counter Stokes by bowling off-spin of Maxwell/Singh to him. It is widely known that Butler has a weakness against leg-spin. Amit Mishra can come handy against this powerful wicket-keeper from England. To Sanju Samson, DD can pack off-side and bowl back of the length outside off to take his favourite on-side out of the equation.
Rajasthan Royals: So far, Rajasthan Royals, have been reluctant to give the ball to Stokes and Archer in the powerplay. Against DD they should consider giving both of them at least three over upfront. Prithwi Shaw should be attacked with short stuff and Colin Munro should receiva e dose of Gowtham's off-spin. Pant's propensity of getting off-balanced while hitting means full and straight should be the ploy against him.
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