IPL 2018, DD vs RR: Rajasthan Royals (RR) probable playing XI against Delhi Daredevils (DD) 

The Rajasthan Royals and the Delhi Daredevils will face each other in a must-win encounter for both the teams at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium on Wednesday (May 2). Both the franchises are in desperate need of a victory at this stage in the tournament, so as to keep themselves in contention for the playoffs spots.

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Ajinkya Rahane and Co. came close to winning their last game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Sunday (April 29) but bottled the chase in the last four overs of the match. They are now in a perilous position on the points table, teetering at the edge of an unsuccessful comeback into the tournament.

After RCB's victory yesterday, it is pivotal for the Royals to gain two points from this match, so as to stay put at number five on the points table.

The Men in Blue are likely to go with the opening combination they tried in the last game, with Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Tripathi at the top of the order. The Royals' skipper has made some runs in the tournament but has struggled to take his team over the line in crunch situations. Tripathi, on the other hand, has not found a stable position in the batting order and thus, has not been able to replicate his heroics from last season in the league so far.

Sanju Samson, who is the highest run-scorer for RR this season and is on the 9th position in the race to the Orange Cap, will retain his batting spot, coming in at one-down. Ben Stokes is likely to follow him at Number 4. The Englishman hasn't been able to live up to the big money he went for in the auctions earlier this year and has a point to prove in Delhi today.

Another England international who hasn't been able to hit the ground running this year has been the Royals wicket-keeper, Jos Buttler. He has scores of 6, 29, 23, 24*, 22, 6, and 10 in the tournament so far. He is likely to retain his spot against DD, but this might as well be a make-or-break opportunity for the 27-year-old.

Mahipal Lomror, who was handed his IPL debut in the match against SRH, will get another crack at showcasing his all-round ability at the big stage. Krishnappa Gowtham has had an on-and-off season with the bat as well as the bowl this season but has still managed to put forth fairly decent performances. He will be a part of the all-rounders' contingent in the team.

The third overseas player into the mix will be Jofra Archer, the Big Bash 2018 sensation. He has played just two games for the Royals so far, but has been extremely impressive in both, scalping six wickets with the ball.

Ish Sodhi was brought into the RR squad after the injury to Zakir Khan at the beginning of the season, but got his first crack at the playing XI in the last game. He will be retained against Delhi, on the back of a moderately acceptable performance against Kane Williamson and his batting unit.

Dhawal Kulkarni and Jaydev Unadkat will complete the seam-bowling department of the Rajasthan franchise and will be expected to bring their A game to the table against Shreyas Iyer and Co. at Kotla on Wednesday.

DD vs RR Live Score

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