Rajasthan Royals’ Yashasvi Jaiswal (RIGHT) and Delhi Capitals’ captain Rishabh Pant. (PHOTOS: PTI)
IPL 2024 key battles for RR vs DC: Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals will take on Rishabh Pant’s Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday. While Royals are coming into the contest on the back of a clinical win against Lucknow Super Giants, the latter has lost its opening encounter against Punjab Kings.
The Capitals had a nightmare start to their campaign last season losing five of their first games and a loss against the Royals might give them a bit of deja vu.
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Skipper Rishabh Pant’s addition to the side did add value to the side on paper. However, on the field, the same batting flaws from last season were on display again in the game against Punjab. If not for Abhishek Porel’s heroics at the end, the Capitals would have ended up with a total underpar.
Mohali: Delhi Capitals’ captain Rishabh Pant plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 T20 cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, in Mohali, Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Express photo by Kamleshwar Singh)
As far as the RR are concerned, with the squad they have assembled for IPL 2024, anything less than reaching the playoffs would be considered a disappointment this season.
The firepower they had in their batting was on full display in their opening game and they would be hoping to carry the momentum forward into today’s game as well.
Although the bowling had a few holes, Sandeep Sharma’s brilliance at the death helped them get over the line.
Let’s have a look at three areas where the Royals vs Capitals game could turn around:
- 01
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler’s threat
It is the opening combination to watch out for in IPL 2024. Although both players did not fire against LSG in the previous IPL game, Jaiswal did threaten for a while to take the game away. DC and Pant need to be wary of the threat these two pose and strike early because if either of them gets their eye in and starts to get on top of the bowling attack, Delhi Capitals might get blown out.
- 02
Rishabh Pant vs RR spinners
Alongside the opening combination, Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin form one of the formidable spin pairings of the tournament. With a fragile middle order at Delhi, the onus will be on Rishabh Pant to take on the spinners for DC. The gutsy left-hander not only possesses the ability to maneuver the ball through gaps to keep the scoreboard ticking but can also play some unorthodox shots and unsettle the spinners.
- 03
Sandeep Sharma’s death bowling
Before Sandeep was brought into the attack in Royals’ previous IPL game, LSG was in a good position to chase down the total. However, the veteran bowler exploited the dimensions of the Jaipur ground to perfection by employing his slower ones more thus making it difficult for the batters to clear the ropes with ease. In addition to the slower balls, Sharma has a lethal yorker as well. Hence, the Delhi Capitals need to be wary of his death bowling prowess.
Get the latest updates on IPL 2024 from IPL Points Table to Teams, Schedule, Most Runs and Most Wickets along with live score updates for all matches. Also get Sports news and more cricket updates.
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First uploaded on: 28-03-2024 at 16:26 IST
