After experiencing the high from scaling the unassailable peaks in Chennai and Mumbai, it was a sobering experience for Royal Challengers Bengaluru at home when it lost both its matches.
The disheartening six-wicket defeat at the hand of Delhi Capitals in the last match undid some of the momentum the Challengers had gained at the start of the tournament.
However, on Sunday at the Sawai Mansingh stadium, the Challengers will get another opportunity to extend its good away record when it takes on a stuttering Rajasthan Royals.
But Challengers certainly has to improve on all fronts to win at a venue which hasn’t been intimidating for it.
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Batting has been Challengers’ strength with Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal looking good on surfaces suiting their styles. Challengers will be hoping that the surface in Jaipur would maximise its strength.
Royals hasn’t had the best of starts this season. After playing both the home matches in Guwahati with mixed results, the Royals will be hoping for a turnaround at its original home.
The Sanju Samson led side has looked short of firepower in both batting and bowling department. In batting, Royals is heavily reliant on its Indian stars who are yet to hit full stride. The inconsistent form of Yashasvi Jaiswal has hurt the Royals while Sanju hasn’t played a big innings of significance this season.
Sparks of brilliance from Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel hasn’t been enough either. The bowling, except for Jofra Archer, hasn’t been incisive and Royals has conceded 200 plus totals twice. Royals will be wary of Challengers batting and will have come up with a disciplined bowling effort to rein in the visitor.