IPL 2019: It’s Buttler vs Ashwin Round 2 as KXIP take on RR
The first match of the season between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium turned out to be the most controversial one of the season so far, with KXIP skipper Ravichandran Ashwin ‘Mankading’ RR talisman Jos Buttler. The incident created a stir all over the cricketing world, with every expert pitching in with their opinions.
The controversy also proved to be a turning point in the contest, with RR collapsing and losing a match in which they were in complete control. The highly divisive event has meant that all eyes around the globe will be on Ashwin and Buttler and their little interactions when the two teams face off against each other at the PCA Stadium in Mohali today.
In terms of their position on the table, both the teams desperately need a win for their push towards a playoff spot. While Punjab sit on the 5th spot with 8 points in 8 matches, RR currently occupies the 7th spot with only 4 points in 7 games. Due to the sheer stakes involved, along with the added tinge of the controversy from their previous encounter, this one promises to be a high-octane contest.
Here we look at the key battles which will decide the contest:
Ravichandran Ashwin vs Jos Buttler
If not this contest, which else battle would it be? The whole world knows the controversy which the ‘Mankading’ incident between Ashwin and Buttler created. Discourses revolved around the laws and the spirit of the game, with the world being split right down the middle. But one simply cannot deny that the controversy has added to the spectacle of the game and all eyes will be glued to the screen when Ashwin comes on to bowl against Buttler. The Englishman will certainly be determined to come out on top against his Indian contemporary and with the form which both the players are in right now, it promises to be a highly entertaining as well as a quality contest.
Jofra Archer vs Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle has continued his sensational form for the West Indies into the IPL, scoring 205 runs in 7 matches so far with an outstanding average of 53.66 and a strike-rate of 157.07. He scored a brilliant unbeaten 99 in Punjab’s previous match against his former team Bangalore and will be looking forward to continuing the momentum against Rajasthan. To counter him, RR will bank upon Jofra Archer, who has been one of the few bright lights for the franchise this season. Archer in 7 matches has picked up 7 wickets so far at an average of 23.63. More than picking up the wickets, he has often restricted the batsmen, building up pressure on one end and has a very respectable economy rate of 7.22. The battle between the two big West Indians will be certainly intriguing to watch.
Steve Smith vs Mayank Agarwal
Two players tasked with navigating the middle phase of the innings – who dictates the tempo of the game better between Agarwal and Smith will go a long way towards deciding which team comes out on top. Mayank has been in better form this season, batting brilliantly at the No.3 spot for his team, scoring 199 runs. One criticism of Agarwal has been that he has gotten off to starts but failed to convert them into big scores. The match against Rajasthan will provide him the perfect opportunity to finally get a big one under his belt.
On the other hand, Smith has struggled for form by his exceptionally high standards, often looking laboured on the crease. Though he has scored 186 runs, his strike-rate has been a poor 107.51, which has led to RR failing to up the ante against the opposition. He will have to perform against KXIP in order to justify his place in the side in the following matches.
