The two losing teams from the first round of the Indian Premier League 2018 square off against each other at a stadium which is back in the action after five years hiatus. The Sawai Mansingh Stadium was not allowed to host any IPL games after the IPL 2013 due to animosity between BCCI and Rajasthan Cricket Board. One of the faster tracks in India will host the night tie.
Delhi Daredevils:
The Daredevils were blunted by the assault launched by KL Rahul. He scored the fastest fifty in the IPL and made light work of the Delhi total despite the struggles of other Punjab batsman. Gautam Gambhir, Rishabh Pant and Chris Morris batted well while the bowling was disappointing.
Delhi left out Jason Roy and Shahbaz Nadeem from the expected team. Glenn Maxwell also missed out since he was in Australia attending the marriage of Aaron Finch. Colin Munro, Trent Boult, Daniel Christian and Chris Morris were the foreigners playing.
Now Glenn Maxwell has returned and is likely to be slotted in directly in the playing XI. He will most probably replace Daniel Christian in an Aussie-for-Aussie replacement. Indian bowling line-up may also see a shake-up.
Probable XI-
Gautam Gambhir (c), Amit Mishra, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Shami, Colin Munro, Trent Boult, Vijay Shankar, Chris Morris, Shreyas Iyer, Rahul Tewatia/Shahbaz Nadeem, Rishabh Pant (wk)
Rajasthan Royals:
On their return after the two-year ban was very subdued and dismal. They could not stand up to the might of Sunrisers Hyderabad at their home and were folded up quickly by the SRH team. Their batsman failed to get going and posted a very low score defending which was a tough ask.
Royals played with D’Arcy Short at the top. Two foreigners in Buttler and Stokes were confirmed and did play. In the fast bowling department, they chose experienced Ben Laughlin ahead of Jofra Archer. The Indian contingent was the same as expected.
If Royals decide to make the changes in they would certainly be in the overseas department. Heinrich Klaasen will have to come in the team sooner rather than later. They also may opt for Binny whose bowling style will suit for the faster track at Jaipur. Archer is still recovering from a side strain.
Probable XI-
Ajinkya Rahane (c), D Arcy Short/Heinrich Klaasen, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi, Jos Buttler (wk), Krishnappa Gowtham, Shreyas Gopal/Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Ben Laughlin/Jofra Archer
