IPL 2018, KXIP vs RR: 5 player battles to look forward to

Rajasthan Royals' loss in the rain-curtailed game at Delhi has placed them at the bottom of the table and they would be desperate for a win when they take on Kings XI Punjab at Indore tonight. KXIP are also coming off a loss and although they are well placed to finish among the top 4 teams, they must string together more victories.

RR’s form has been indifferent and they have recorded only 3 wins in 8 games, which is why they need to quickly make winning a habit if they are to make it to the top 4. It will be a closely-contested game and the outcome will be decided by some of the individual battles that will take place tonight. Here is a look at 5 of the most important ones.

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#5 Ravichandran Ashwin v Sanju Samson

Ravichandran Ashwin’s reinvention as a spinner has seen him become one of the mainstays of his team’s bowling attack this season. In 8 games so far, he may not have taken many wickets (5) but he has kept things tight and gone for only 7.71 runs an over. Tonight, his battle against RR’s number 3 Sanju Samson is going to be a crucial one.

The wicketkeeper-batsman is in excellent form and has emerged as RR’s highest run-scorer with a total of 282 runs to his name. He is averaging 40.28 and has recorded a strike rate of 145.36. That said, he is a player who likes to play against faster bowlers and that is why his encounter with Ashwin is such a crucial one. If Samson can get on top of the Indian off-spinner then there is every chance for RR to completely break the back of the KXIP attack.

Conversely, Ashwin picking up his wicket would be a body blow to RR’s chances in the game.

#4 Chris Gayle v Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer

Chris Gayle has been in brutal form this season and one of the biggest factors in KXIP’s run to the top 4 has been his contributions at the top of the order. He is averaging over 100 and striking at 154.08 so far. He has made 3 fifties and a century in 5 games, which is why it is imperative for RR to take the Jamaican’s wicket as soon as they possibly can. The best chance for RR when it comes to countering the threat posed by Gayle is to unleash Jofra Archer on him.

The West Indian can bowl at great pace and in addition to that, his inch-perfect yorkers and bouncers can be awkward for the best in the business. In the 3 games he has played so far, the right-arm fast bowler has given away only 7.07 runs an over and has picked up 7 wickets. This particular battle is going to be an engrossing one as it will be a duel between one of the world’s best T20 bowlers and the greatest ever T20 batsman.

#3 Mujeeb Ur Rahman v Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes

The Afghan spinner has quite simply been KXIP’s best bowler in the season so far and Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s 4 overs are absolutely crucial when it comes to the team’s bowling effort. His variations, accuracy and sharp turn have been tough to negotiate and Mujeeb has not only been able to take wickets but has also been very economical. He has picked up 9 wickets so far at an economy of 6.87 runs an over.

Tonight, he will come up against one of the best all-rounders in the world in Ben Stokes and although the England player can take any attack to the cleaners, there is no doubt that he has been disappointing in the IPL so far. Additionally, he has had troubles against leg-spin and hence, his battle with Mujeeb will be fascinating.

#2 KL Rahul v Jaydev Unadkat

KL Rahul

The Indian batsman is in red-hot form at the moment and although he has not got big scores, KL Rahul’s top order hitting has seen KXIP get off to scorching starts. He has scored runs at an average of 36.50 and has recorded a strike rate of 164.97, which is why RR might have a very tough time if he manages to get going tonight.

The opening bowlers need to be absolutely perfect tonight if the right-hander is to be contained and hence, perhaps it is time for RR’s big money signing Jaydev Unadkat to deliver a tight opening spell.

He has gone for 10.38 runs an over so far in 8 games and has picked up 7 wickets. Needless to say, he has not been as good as he was last season for Rising Pune Supergiant. However, he needs to regain his control and hold his own against Rahul. It will be a battle that will set the tone for the game.

#1 Ankit Rajpoot v Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler struggled in the middle-order during the first 7 games of the tournament but in his previous game, he was sent up the order and the Englishman played an explosive innings (67 off 26) that almost delivered a victory for RR. He would definitely be sent to open the innings tonight as well and it is his battle with KXIP fast bowler Ankit Rajpoot that will have a bearing on the direction of the RR innings.

Rajpoot, meanwhile, can work up some serious pace and has been an outstanding performer for KXIP in the 4 games that he has played so far. Rajpoot has taken 7 wickets (including an outstanding 5 wicket haul) and has recorded an economy rate of only 7.14. Those are excellent figures but an in-form Jos Buttler is a different kettle of fish and he would need to be at his very best to keep the Englishman in check. It promises to be the battle of the game.