So much for all the pre-tournament predictions. Delhi Daredevils was the squad with the most depth, and Rajasthan Royals were touted as the team to beat. Three days into the tournament, if there's one truth ringing out loudly, it is that in T20 cricket, no team is too far ahead of the rest.
Delhi learnt it after KL Rahul's record-breaking fifty blew them away, while Rajasthan Royals were left a touch embarrassed by the bowlers of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
While these losses wouldn't really put either team into a frenzy as yet, it will be important for both to shed the rustiness soon. Delhi's bowling in their opening game came a cropper, as did Rajasthan's batting. The format of IPL doesn't allow much turnover time between games and thereby adds to the importance of running with the momentum.
For the Royals, there is something positive to take forward given that they return to what was their fortress, the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, after 2013. Their record (a win percentage of 72.24) at this ground is second to none in IPL, and that should help their cause.
Where: Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur
When: 20:00 IST on 11th April, Wednesday
What to expect: A pleasant, warm evening is forecast which should allow for a good game.
Team News:
Delhi
Glenn Maxwell has rejoined the team and is likely to come in straightaway in the place of one off the allrounders, Daniel Christian or Chris Morris. Delhi might ponder making a few tweaks to their bowling group as well.
Probable XI: Gautam Gambhir (c), Colin Munro, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, Vijay Shankar, Chris Morris/Daniel Chrisitan, Rahul Tewatia, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Trent Boult
Rajasthan Royals
They fielded pretty much their strongest first eleven in the first game and are likely to continue the same way going forward, given that Jofra Archer is still unlikely to feature.
Probable XI: Ajinkya Rahane(c), D Arcy Short, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi, Jos Buttler(w), Krishnappa Gowtham, Shreyas Gopal, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Ben Laughlin
Stats and Trivia
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RR have won all of their last six games against DD. The last time DD beat RR was in 2012 in Jaipur - their only win at this venue.
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In 15 innings against DD, Rahane has scored 632 runs at an average of 63.20 with six scores above fifty. He needs 39 more runs to topple Rohit as the highest run- getter against them in IPL.
What they said
"Shane Warne, this is the first time I'm interacting with him. I've heard and seen a lot about him when I was young. I still search his bowling videos in YouTube, I really love watching him bowl. As a person and a cricketer, I think he's a very smart individual. We're just trying to learn as much as possible from him. His planning and strategies are really great, I think we are very lucky to have him - Sanju Samson is in awe of Shane Warne, Rajasthan Royals' mentor.
"I think Shane Warne is a great bowler and a legend, definitely he'll have some impact (on Rajasthan Royals) but we have Ricky Ponting with us, his captain! - Delhi Daredevils' Naman Ojha tries to play down the Warne factor.
(CRICBUZZ)