The State of Play
Rajasthan Royals can climb to the top of the IPL 2024 table if they win their game in hand over Kolkata Knight Riders – making Tuesday’s clash against Delhi Capitals a vital one.
DC must win themselves if they are to make the play-offs, they sit sixth in the table with 10 points from 11 matches.
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If they lose any of their remaining three bouts, they will miss out on a place in the next round.
Even if they win all three, there is no guarantee they make it to the final four.
Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants can still go beyond the 16-point mark, which would leave DC short.
It is a much more comfortable situation for Sanju Samson’s side, who need to win just once to make the play-offs, but they will want to secure a top-two spot to guarantee themselves a double chance of making the final.
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: ✅
𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝: 🎯🎯🎯We are ready to R.O.A.R yet again after a short break 👊 pic.twitter.com/0GkIXlztHo
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) May 6, 2024
RR lost last time out in a dramatic ending against SRH, falling one run short of a victory and picking up just their second loss of the competition.
Rovman Powell had the chance to win it with the final ball and anticipated a yorker from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but he was instead served a full toss which caught him out and struck his pad resulting in an LBW wicket.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag were the two standout batters for RR as they chased SRH’s score of 201 – with the former scoring 67 from 40 balls and the latter 77 from 48.
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It was a poor showing from Jos Buttler, who went for a duck and captain Samson also scored no runs, lasting just three balls.
In the field, there were more problems. RR only managed to take three wickets in the opening 20 overs, with Avesh Khan getting two and Sandeep Sharma picking up the other one.
In DC’s loss against KKR, only Kuldeep Yadav scored above 30 runs for the hosts and they were 153/9 after 20 overs.
It was a dominant display from the league leaders, who breezed to the required 154 runs and beyond, with Venkatesh Iyer smashing home a six to pick up the win.
Axar Patel and Lizaad Williams got the wickets for DC but will need some help if they are to put on a better performance against RR.
Expected line-ups
Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c), Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Anrich Nortje, Khaleel Ahmed.
Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (w/c), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal
When you realise your childhood hero is just getting younger 😎💗 pic.twitter.com/z7OljH00Cc
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 5, 2024
How to watch
Sky have the rights to show the IPL to UK viewers in 2024 and will broadcast every game live. Monday’s match will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket from 2.50pm BST.
In India, the games can be streamed on the Jio Cinema app and website. They are also available across the Star Sports Network.
Prediction
DC vs RR is one of the oldest rivalries in the IPL and if both teams turn up it should be a close contest.
Of the 28 meetings between these two, Delhi have won 13 compared to Rajasthan’s 15.
The Royals’ strength has been in their batting but they have also been effective in their bowling during the Powerplay.
Trent Boult will be key as an opening bowler and will be looking to take early wickets, while Jake Fraser-McGurk for DC will fancy his chances against the New Zealand international.
Kuldeep Yadav is the top wicket take for the home side while Anrich Nortje and Mitchell Marsh have proven to be great support bowlers.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler will have to be at the top of their game if they are to halt a team desperate for a win.
