Rajasthan Royals Playing 11 today: The Sportsrush presents before you RR’s Predicted Playing 11 for their sixth match of IPL 2019.
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Having made it to the Qualifying stage in IPL 2018, Rajasthan Royals are reeling at No. 7 in the points table in IPL 2019. One victory in five matches calls for a start they would have least wanted especially in the initial phase of the tournament.
With Royals set to host Super Kings tomorrow, they have a serious challenge lying in front of them against a team which has won five out of six matches and is currently at No. 1 in the points table. Having won one out of three home matches, winnings tomorrow becomes all the more important for them as no side prefers to lose many home fixtures.
Rajasthan Royals Playing 11 today
Top-order
With 176 runs in five matches at an average of 35.20 and a strike rate of 130.37, wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler has been Royals’ highest run-scorer so far. While Buttler has been decent enough, his opening batsman in captain Ajinkya Rahane not playing the anchor role is a source of concern for RR.
The absence of Sanju Samson from the playing XI in the last three matches has also affected Royals’ prospects.
Middle-order
What has also hurt Rajasthan is the fact that most of their batsmen have failed to get going from the word go. Given the nature of the format, RR sometimes give the impression of lacking the firepower in their batting order. If Samson continues to sit out, RR might look to promote one out of Stokes or Krishnappa Gowtham up the order.
Having said that, the move has it in it to cause issues for them in the slog overs especially if they are chasing against Chennai Super Kings.
Bowlers
Other than pondering about his batting division, Rahane would also have a few decisions to make in his bowling department. With eight wickets in five matches at an average of 12.75, an economy rate of 6.37 and a strike rate of 12, Shreyas Gopal has been the highest wicket-taker for RR so far in IPL 2019.
However, with no other bowler in the list of Top 25 highest wicket-takers in the tournament, Royals’ other bowlers have failed to deliver. Jofra Archer has been economical but has lacked in the wickets column.
Dhawal Kulkarni (9.64), Ben Stokes (10.84), Krishnappa Gowtham (8.53) and Jaydev Unadkat (12.40) have all been expensive in the tournament. Varun Aaron (16) and S Midhun (13.5) have also been expensive but have only played a match each in IPL 2019. Perhaps, giving an opportunity to both of them will give a new look to Rajasthan’s bowling attack.
Rajasthan Royals Playing 11 today – 1) Jos Buttler (wk) 2) Ajinkya Rahane (c) 3) Steven Smith 4) Sanju Samson/Prashant Chopra 5) Ben Stokes 6) Rahul Tripathi 7) Krishnappa Gowtham 8) Jofra Archer 9) Shreyas Gopal 10) Varun Aaron 11) S Midhun
