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As all the action shifts from MA Chidambaram stadium to Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the home team, Rajasthan Royals, will lock horns against Delhi Daredevils in the 6th game of the IPL 11.
Rajasthan Royals' return to the Indian Premier League after serving a two-year suspension following its alleged involvement in corruption, wasn't a memorable one as Rahane's men suffered a 9-wicket defeat in their opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
On the other hand, Delhi Daredevils too started their season with a 6-wicket defeat against Kings XI Punjab.
As the two teams are raring to go against each other and register their first win of the season, the performances of these players could go a long way in determining the outcome of the match:
#5 Rishabh Pant
The 21-year-old from Delhi is one of the three players that Delhi Daredevils retained for the IPL 2018 along with Shreyas Iyer and Chris Morris. The youngster had an excellent season last year as he finished the season as the second-highest run-getter for Delhi.
The left-hander amassed 366 runs in 14 matches at an average of 26.14 and a strike rate of 165. He was also the third-highest among the batsmen with the highest number of sixes (24).
Rishabh Pant's demolition act of 97 (43) while chasing a total of 208 set by Gujarat Lions in the previous edition of IPL, is a testimony of the talent he possesses. Given his talent and power-hitting capabilities, Pant can change the context of the game in a matter of minutes.
#4 Sanju Samson
The exceptionally talented young batsman from Kerala has been a consistent performer for Delhi Daredevils since IPL 9. The elegant right-hander amassed 386 runs in 14 matches at an average of 27.57.
Samson also registered his maiden T20 century in the last season against Rising Pune Supergiant, scoring 102 off 63 balls and his innings had 8 boundaries and 5 sixes.
The 23-year-old was bought for a massive Rs. 8 crores by Rajasthan Royals for the 11th edition of the IPL. Samson has had a decent start to the season with 49 (42) against SRH, but the RR management would have wanted him to stay in the middle and score big for his team.
Given his skill to hit the ball with impeccable timing and his ability to mold his batting style according to the situation, he will be a key player for Delhi in registering their first win of the season.
#3 D’Arcy Short
A left-hand top-order batsman from Australia, D'Arcy Short is the latest to come out of the Big Bash League. Short was the Player of the Tournament in this season’s BBL. His 578 runs for Hobart Hurricanes is the most runs scored by an individual in a single edition of BBL, with 122 (69) against Brisbane Heat being his best. Besides being a sensational top-order batsman, Short also bowls the left-arm leg spin.
Short has also donned Australia's national colors and played an important knock of 76 off 44, guiding Australia to record the highest run-chase in T20Is (244) against New Zealand.
After being bought for a whopping Rs. 4 crores, the left-hander couldn't make his mark in their first game against Sunrisers Hyderabad where he was run-out for four runs. He must now be raring to take the field and make a statement to the world in their clash against Delhi today.
#2 Glenn Maxwell
The return of Glenn Maxwell will be a much-needed boost for Delhi Daredevils who started their season with a six-wicket defeat against KXIP.
Maxwell has joined the DD squad for their match against RR today after he had stayed back in Australia to attend his team-mate Aaron Finch's wedding.
The right-hander represented KXIP in the last season where he scored 310 runs at an average of 31 in the 13 matches he played. The dashing batsman was also in a rich vein of form in this year's BBL, where he piled up 299 runs at an average of 37.37 and with a strike rate of 154.
With him looking to consolidate his place in the national team, he would like to make it big this season.
#1 Ben Stokes
When the English all-rounder was brought in by Raising Pune Supergiant for a record Rs. 14.5 crores. But, the quintessential all-rounder didn't disappoint his franchise as he was phenomenal for RPS in all departments of the game.
The left-hander scored 316 runs off the 12 matches he played that season and picked up 12 wickets an impressive economy of 7.19.
He was also the costliest buy in the IPL 11 auctions where he was snapped up by Rajasthan Royals for a hefty sum of Rs. 12.5 crores.
The all-rounder could not match his performance with his price tag in their season opener against SRH as he could manage to score only 5 (8) and his numbers (2-0-21-0) with the ball too were ordinary. The most valuable player from last season would want to emulate the same this season for RR as well.
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