New Delhi: Rajasthan Royals have their job cut out as they take on Delhi Daredvils in the lone game on Monday at Ahmedabad, knowing full-well that another loss will put them in a spot of bother in the third edition of the IPL. The Royals ran the Mumbai Indians close on Saturday only because of the one-man demolition squad called Yusuf Pathan. However, it is not him, but the unpredictability of the team that will pose the biggest challenge to Gautam Gambhir's devils.
Delhi may have tamed Kings XI Punjab in their opening game at Mohali, but they should keep in mind that the Royals are going to be no walkover. While Delhi's bowlers did a fine job to restrict Punjab, the batting was not one to write home about. It was an excellent effort from the skipper and Mithun Manhas that saw them home with one delivery to spare.
The high point for Delhi is that almost all their bowlers found their rhythm from the word go. Dirk Nannes, Farvez Maharoof, Pradeep Sangwan, Yo Mahesh and Amit Mishra and part-time spinner Tilekaratne Dilshan give Delhi a host of options.
On the other hand, Rajasthan put in a woeful bowling performance against Mumbai. All their bowlers, including pacer Shaun Tait and skipper Shane Warne looked out sorts and they paid the price for not playing Munaf Patel and Morne Morkel.
Delhi's batting trio of Virender Sehwag, Dilshan and AB de Villiers failed to click in the opening game and that is ominous for any opposition. If the three along with Gambhir come to the party, the Royals' bowlers will be left in tatters. But it's never too wise to underestimate the wily Warne. He can always pull out a trick or two out of the hat.
But Rajasthan will have to sort out their batting immediately. Barring Pathan and Paras Dogra, who hit a quickfire 41, none of the other Royals batsmen troubled the scorers so much. The absence of Shane Watson is showing and it's time Graeme Smith takes the lead at the top of the innings.
It should be a fantastic contest, even though at the moment Delhi definitely have the edge.
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Today : Sunday - May 27, 2012, 01:26pm (GMT+5.5)
