*RR VS LSG PREVIEW*
*THE BUILDUP:*
*ITS A HOMECOMING STORY:*
The dream of every person living in Jaipur is about to come true. They will be finally getting a chance to cheer on for their team, by not just being in front of the TV screen but this time wearing the RR jersey and featuring at the stadium. Rajasthan are coming back to their fortress, to their den. It’s been a late homecoming but it’s better late then never. They will be raring to go out there, assess the playing conditions and entertain their home crowd.
*LICENSE TO THRILL?:*
Rajasthan are on a winning spree, sitting pretty comfortably at the top with as many as 4 wins. But LSG hold the strength and firmness to break this streak. They are an all balanced unit who’d be keen on forgetting their last loss as soon as possible. If RR are to thrill their home crowd for the first time this season, this LSG brigade will have to be conquered and knowing how strong the KL led unit is, it’s going to be a fascinating watch.
*LSG PROBABLE XI:*
KL Rahul(c), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Yudhvir Singh, Mark Wood, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan
Expecting Yudhvir to retain his place after a good debut performance from him. He should be riding on confidence after his maiden IPL game.
Bishnoi could very well be used within the power play by KL to get rid of Buttler, who can be a real threat to the away team. Also, given the nature of the pitch that the reports suggest, it’s likely to spin.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Amit Mishra could play a crucial role as a substitute during LSG’s bowling innings. He has been training and bowling well and with the Jaipur surface likely to aid spinners, his stature increases. He can replace any of Badoni/Kyle Mayers.
*RR PROBABLE XI:*
Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jagel, Jason Holdar, Ravi Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzi Chahal, Adam Zampa
The home team can maximise their advantage if what the reports about the pitch aiding turn are true. They have three classical quality spinners up their ranks, each with a different set of variations, who can run through the LSG lineup. Given the 70m boundaries of the ground, they are likely to play a greater role.
With Pooran’s struggles against off spin, the veteran Ashwin, could prove to be extremely handy on the surface.
Expecting Parag to be dropped again to slot Padikkal who has been in better touch than the all rounder from Assam. It would be hard to back the former after the kind of horrific form he has been in.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
RR have a complete team up their sleeves and I don’t expect them to fiddle much with their lineup. If required, Parag could be slotted in while batting but given his poor form with the bat, he is unlikely to make a massive difference with the bat.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR LSG:*
Highest run getter- KL Rahul/Nicholas Pooran
Highest wicket taker- Ravi Bishnoi/Mark Wood
*FOR RR:*
Highest run getter- Sanju Samson/Jos Buttler
Highest wicket taker- Yuzvendra Chahal/Trent Boult
*FOR THE GAME:*
Rajasthan Royals to win