IPL 6: Qualifier 2– RR vs MI – Rajasthan Royals Preview

The winners of inaugural edition of IPL, Rajasthan Royals, will take on Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 to determine who goes through to the big final against Chennai Super Kings to be played on May 26, Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

According to Rajasthan Royals captain Rahul Dravid, if they are able to generate two more good performances, it will be a fairytale for them. In many ways, the journey for them so far has been nothing short of a fairytale, one that has panned out alongside a terrible nightmare of spot-fixing during the last week.

On one hand, we have Sanju Samson, Stuart Binny and Siddharth Trivedi up against the big names like Rohit Sharma, Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard, who have made the IPL their personal updates. A coaching staff consisting of Rahul Dravid and Paddy Upton are up against the might of John Wright, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Anil Kumble, Jonty Rhodes and Robin Singh. On paper, it should be a no contest really; the latter should win it hands down.

Earlier in the season, Dravid took a dig at his much-fancied opponents when he cheekily remarked: “We don’t believe in having bowling and fielding coaches.” Belief, as he said, comes naturally when you can’t afford to have the luxury of a high-profile coaching staff.

This season, the top order of Rajasthan Royals has been influential. In eight of their eleven wins, one of Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane or Shane Watson – who make up the top three – has been the top-scorer. In this knockout match, they will be expected to deliver again. Having said that, if and when the Royals’ top order fails, as it did the other day against Sunrisers in Delhi, they have insurance in the form of Stuart Binny and Brad Hodge, who have delivered at crucial stages.

The one area they will find hard to compete with Mumbai Indians is in the spin bowling department, but they do have formidable all-rounder in the form of Shane Watson. Their fast bowling will be led by James Faulknar, who, with 27 wickets, is within touching distance of purple cap holder Dwayne Bravo, who has 28 wickets.

The strategy of underplaying themselves has worked wonders for Dravid and Co. He was spot on when he said after winning the eliminator that the pressure was on Mumbai Indians, as the Royals have made the playoffs for the first time in five seasons. In addition, he also said that they will have little to lose against Mumbai Indians, a side that will feel it has not done justice to its potential by not winning the title. That seems a smart ploy on Dravid’s part to hit the opposition where it hurts them the most, and in all fairness, it was also the bitter truth.

Pitch and conditions:

Conditions here can be very tricky to gauge. Generally, the pitch has been slow and low, but teams have managed some good scores in few games earlier in the season. The team with better set of spin bowlers will have a big say in the outcome of the match.

Team news:

Considering the nature of the pitch at Eden Gardens, the only change that may take place is Pravin Tambe in the side for either Vikramjeet Malik or Dishant Yagnik.

Watch out for:

Shane Watson: The importance of this man to Rajasthan Royals cannot be played down. His return to bowling has opened up an extra slot in the team for another player, while his batting has set up some of their biggest wins this season, including the one against Sunrisers at Jaipur earlier in the season. The Royals have used him smartly, pushing him down the order when they needed to chase big targets, and using his big-hitting skills to set the team up for quick starts at the top of the order.

Prediction:

All things said and done, if Mumbai Indians had been asked to choose an opponent in a knockout situation, they would have happily chosen the Royals. It should be an easy win for Mumbai Indians.