With almost all teams having played 10 matches, it is that time of the IPL where every single win or loss could make a massive difference in relation to progressing to the playoffs. Rajasthan Royals have been on a bit of a losing streak, slipping to fourth place in the points table. Meanwhile, their next opponent, Sunrisers Hyderabad, have picked up just six points after playing nine matches.
Rajasthan have been wading through a mire in the last few games. They slipped to a gut-wrenching loss against Mumbai Indians, and that was followed by crushing a nine-wicket defeat to Gujarat Titans, the defending champions. The crux of Rajasthan’s problem is that a couple of their main batters – Jos Buttler and Shimron Hetmyer – have been struggling for form, having scored 53 and 28 runs in their last four and five matches respectively.
With tomorrow’s match also scheduled to be played in Jaipur, which basically offers two-paced decks, Rajasthan could look to bring in Joe Root to stabilize the batting unit. Root is arguably Rajasthan’s best bet to play percentage cricket and his off-breaks could grip a bit at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
As far as Hyderad are concerned, there would be worries surrounding Harry Brook’s form. The English batter has compiled just 34 runs after cracking a ton against Kolkata Knight Riders, which includes consecutive no scores. Perhaps he is putting too much pressure on himself? For a start, he seems to be premeditating too much at the crease, in an attempt to manufacture shots. If Hyderad’s think-tank looks at dropping him, then Glenn Phillips could get an opportunity.
Venue and Time
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. 7.30.
Expected conditions and toss
The stadium is set to produce another of those tracks with tennis-ball bounce. The pitches have offered a bit more bounce on offer than the tracks we have seen in Lucknow, but the odd ball seems to stop on the batter. The team winning the toss could bat first.
Head-to-head
Rajasthan hold a 9-8 edge over their opponent.
Impact Player and Possible XIs
Rajasthan could opt for Kuldip Yadav or Joe Root as one of the impact subs, while Hyderabad might look at Umran Malik or spring a surprise by opting for the out-of-form Brook as one of the subs.
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C, WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, R Ashwin, Jason Holder/Adam Zampa/Obed McCoy, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram (C), Harry Brook/Glenn Phillips, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Abdul Samad, Marco Jansen, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, Kartik Tyagi.