IPL 2018: Match 32, DD vs RR, Preview - Struggling Daredevils face Royals in a must-win game

Even the visitors are not having a great time and have lost 4 matches out of 7.

Published - 01 May 2018, 15:53 IST | Updated - 01 May 2018, 15:53 IST

4 Min Read

Delhi Daredevils (DD) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to lock horns for the second time this season and are in a situation when both the teams need a victory. The hosts have to win this game to stay in contention for the playoffs. While the Royals are in a better position than their opponents, even they cannot afford any more slip-ups now. The second leg of the tournament has begun and this encounter is expected to be a close one. However, it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top or if Delhi will become the first team to be knocked out.

Delhi were rocked by the assault of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsmen the other day in Pune and though their batsmen tried their best, they were never in the game while chasing the total of 212 runs. But the team is in the happy space ever since Shreyas Iyer has taken over the mantle from Gautam Gambhir. They have to win all their remaining 6 matches from now on and would be eager to get on a roll with this game itself.

Royals would be ruing the fact that they missed out on a chance to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad despite being ahead for most parts of the game. They have won only 3 matches so far and it is important for them to start winning now. Their overseas stars are struggling to find their feet and the time has come for them to prove their worth. Even if one of them strikes gold on the day, they have the capability to turn the game on its head at any stage.

Rajasthan had won when the two teams met earlier this season and the rain gods had forced the game to be a 6-over affair. Delhi would want to set the records straight as well as they aim to stay alive in the tournament.

Team Combination

Delhi Daredevils

Despite losing the game against CSK, Delhi is expected to make no changes to their line-up. The bowlers had an off day and they might get another opportunity even as the batsmen are looking in great form. The team management would’ve been pleased to see the way Pant and Shankar batted which almost took them home in their previous encounter. The top order has to click for them now and suddenly things can change for them going forward. The captaincy has been decent so far from Iyer and the youngster is quickly learning.

There is a possibility that Shahbaz Nadeem might be included in place of Rahul Tewatia as there are a lot of right-handers in the opposition line-up.

Probable XI: Prithvi Shaw, Colin Munro, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Vijay Shankar, Liam Plunkett, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Shahbaz Nadeem, Trent Boult

Rajasthan Royals

Ajinkya Rahane was criticised a lot for not being able to unfurl big shots in the last game when his team needed the most. They will have to find a finisher or promote Gowtham who has won them the game with his batting pyrotechnics. Also, Jos Buttler’s consistent failures might pave the way for Klaasen to come in and don the gloves who will also bat at 5. The bowling has been rejuvenated ever since Jofra Archer has come in and there should be no changes in that department for this game

Probable XI: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Krishnappa Gowtham, Mahipal Lomror, Jofra Archer, Dhawal Kulkarni, Isha Sodhi, Jaydev Unadkat

Focus will be on

Colin Munro (Delhi Daredevils)

Colin Munro has blown hot and cold so far this season so far. One could argue that he was dropped after only a couple of failures earlier but he needs to come out all guns blazing now. It is a must-win game for his team and every individual has to step up for them. Munro has three T20I centuries behind him and even he knows that he can pummel any bowling attack in the world. Expect a blistering knock from him in this game as it is a home game for Daredevils.

Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals)

Ben Stokes has been clearly underperforming this year. He is struggling in both the departments which has affected the balance of the team drastically. He was the most expensive player in the auction but hasn’t proved his worth at all. He has scored only 147 runs in seven outings this year with a strike-rate of 123 which is below par according to his standards. He has not put his hand up with the ball and he will be knowing the same. He needs to stand tall now and start winning matches for his team.