Former South African cricketer Graeme Smith, who was a part of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) team in the first few seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL), believes that the pressure will be on RR as they are going to play in the IPL 2022 Qualifier 2 against Royal Challengers Bangalore on the back of a defeat as well.
However, Smith also added that RR will try to turn it around and Qualifier 2 and it will be a cracker of a contest too as well. RCB and RR have already impressed with their skills and class in the ongoing season and they can win the title as well. While RCB are yet to win their first IPL trophy, RR couldn’t replicate their success after lifting the trophy in the inaugural season in 2008 as well.
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Smith said, “I think the challenge will be for Rajasthan Royals after their disappointing loss against Gujarat Titans (in Qualifier 1). They must be hurt. Can they pick themselves up? RCB, on the other hand is on a high. They’ll be keen to turn it around and put back a high skill level in the game. So, I agree with Ravi that we are going to have a cracker of a game on Friday night,” Smith said while speaking on ‘Cricket Live’ on Star Sports.
On the other hand, former India coach Ravi Shastri stated that the Qualifier 2 in IPL 2022 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals will be a royal affair as both the teams will give a tough fight to each other to win the game. Qualifier 2 will be played at the Narendra Modi International Stadium as well.
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“It’s been 14 years for RCB (as they’ve never owned that elusive silverware) and 13 years since Rajasthan won their last title in the inaugural season. So between the two of them, it’s been 27 years (laughs). They both want it badly and it will be a battle of Royals. Let’s wait for that one. It’s going to be a great contest as both the teams would want to win it badly,” Shastri stated.
