Even at half-past 10 at night, the heat is almost unbearable. Such is the weather in Ahmedabad.
One can only imagine how tough and taxing it could be for the cricketers. That said, the kind of cricket the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been playing of late, their focus should be on continuing to turn up the heat on the opposition.
Six wins in a row earned them a place in the playoffs out of nowhere. Almost everyone had written them off. Yet, RCB have reached this far with self-belief playing a massive role in this mission.
Will Virat Kohli, skipper Faf du Plessis and their teammates make Rajasthan Royals feel the heat in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday? For
sure, the Royals, losing four games on the trot before the playoffs, would have their task cut out against this rejuvenated RCB side.
Sanju Samson and Co. did seem relaxed though during their optional practice session at the Gujarat College ground on Tuesday, the eve of the win-or-bust clash.
The likes of Yashavi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore batted for quite some time at nets, while Samson joined later. But in all fairness, Jaiswal’s inconsistency at the top and Jos Buttler’s absence have hurt the Royals batting, especially with their faltering middle order.
No wonder RCB, with their bowlers too putting up a much better show in the recent matches, will be looking to exploit those areas which cost the Royals the last few games. Alongside their batting group ensuring Kohli and Du Plessis’ starts upfront don’t go to waste, quicks Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal and left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh have played their part to keep the opposition batters at bay.
It certainly will be a stiff ask for Jaiswal and his opening partner Kohler-Cadmore — even though the latter unleashed several meaty blows during Tuesday’s practice — to put Siraj away in the Powerplay as the India pacer has lately worked hard to cut
down on the loose stuff. Left-armer Dayal, too, has fared better, not being a punching bag in the slog overs. Swapnil has also been economical in the Powerplay.
Thus, for the Royals, how well captain Samson and the impressive Riyan Parag does with the bat will be paramount to their chances of survival. However, if their pace spearhead Trent Boult can negate Kohli and Du Plessis in the first six overs, that should certainly provide spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin an opportunity against Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green.
The way Patidar has been batting, RCB may not need to worry much even if Kohli and Du Plessis depart early.
