The Steve Smith-led Rajasthan Royals are all set to take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore led by Virat Kohli in the second of the season. One side has looked in great nick whereas the other has looked in all sorts of trouble. The Royal Challengers Bangalore are placed third in the points table with five wins under their belt whereas the Rajasthan Royals are placed second last just above the Kings XI Punjab side with three wins.
Both sides are coming off a loss in their previous games, the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s recent loss being against the Kings XI Punjab where KL Rahul and Chris Gayle notched up the fifties. Talking about the performance of both sides in the tournament, Rajasthan Royals performance has looked all over the place, from making Robin Uthappa bat in the middle order to making Ben Stokes open this Rajasthan side hasn’t really taken the right decisions.
Whereas Royal Challengers Bangalore have looked in superb touch this season having lost just three matches this season. With both sides looking to get another win under their belt this season, Let’s take a look at the five key players to watch out for in the match.
Let’s take a look at the five key players to watch out for when Royal Challengers Bangalore lock horns with Rajasthan Royals:
1. Chris Morris
The return of Chris Morris was the most awaited one as it technically sorted the overall team combination of the Royal Challengers Bangalore side. RCB had been struggling with their death bowling in this season but with the return of Morris, even that element looks sorted for RCB.
With Chris Morris back in the squad, even the batting down the order looks all balanced for the Royal Challengers Bangalore this season.
2. Rahul Tewatia
Rahul Tewatia has done what the likes of Jos Buttler, Steve Smith couldn’t do for the Rajasthan Royals side this season. One can never forget those 5 sixes he hit in an over to Sheldon Cottrel during that match against Kings XI Punjab. He has been one player for Rajasthan who has been contributing with both bat and ball this season.
As a bowler, he has one of the best bowling figures playing at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Which is why watching Rahul Tewatia bat and bowl is always pleasing to the eye as there is always new to expect from the Haryana player.
3. Washington Sundar
So far in this tournament, Washington Sundar has by far been the unsung hero for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He’s been the given the tough job of bowling in the powerplay where batsmen will look to go after the off-spinner but Sundar has done an ‘Aati Sundar’ job of containing the batsmen in the first six crucial overs.
Though he hasn’t picked plenty wickets this season, he has bowled economical spells conceding less than 25 runs in his quota of four overs in every game.
4. Ben Stokes
The anticipated return of the World’s best all-rounder at present Ben Stokes happened a few days back. Though this season we’re watching him opening the batting for Rajasthan Royals instead of batting in the middle order which is a newly defined role for the English all-rounder.
Though he really didn’t have a great outing with both bat and ball in both games we shall all expect a big inning from the man from England very soon as he has the reputation of being a top-class player who finishes off matches for his side.
5. Virat Kohli
The Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli has finally got his form back as in seven matches he’s scored four fifties for his side. This comes after a poor show in the first three games Virat played in this tournament. With Virat back in form and Royal Challengers Bangalore on a winning run this season, we shall expect another big knock from the Indian skipper very soon.