IPL 2019: 3 things win-less RR will hope to get right against in-form CSK
Rajasthan Royals had a decent squad on paper coming into the 12th edition of the IPL. But what’s on paper doesn’t necessarily reflect on the field. They ended up on the wrong side in the first game against Kings XI Punjab. Jos Buttler looked in great touch but was caught backing up too far, eventually being ‘Mankaded’ by R Ashwin. With his dismissal, RR lost all the steam and looked deflated by the end.
They started brilliantly against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their second match on the back of captain Ajinkya Rahane’s 70. Sanju Samson stepped up and registered the first century of the tournament and the Royals finished strongly with 198. Having their task cut out, the Sunrisers paced their innings to perfection and made a meal of a steep chase. Their top order flourished as the RR bowlers struggled to upset their rhythm. Once again, the Royals were left behind.
In search of their first victory this season, they now face the most consistent team in the IPL, Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk. Rahane and co. will hope to tick all boxes against a team that almost always finds a way to win. But it won’t be easy. The last time they won at Chennai’s home ground was way back in 2008 – the same year their won their only IPL title. It also doesn’t help that Rajasthan have the worst away record since IPL 2015. CSK are like the veterans of the IPL, and it’ll take a lot more than just spurts of individual performances to beat them in their own den.
Here are 3 things RR can do against CSK to get those 2 points on the table:
Top order demolition
Chennai bat deep, but it’s their top order that usually gets off to a blistering start and lets the middle order build on the momentum. If RR want to stop their batting juggernaut, they’ll have to get rid of openers Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu, along with their best batsman, Suresh Raina inside the first 6 overs
Amp up their bowling attack
The lack of full-time finger spinners will continue to haunt Rajasthan, especially at Chepauk – where spinners have always prospered. Their only other wrist spinner is Shreyas Gopal. Jaydev Unadkat seems ineffective, while Dhawal Kulkarni is not the most consistent bowler. RR could bring in Oshane Thomas at the expense of a foreign batter, preferably Steve Smith who’s just being wasted down the order
More responsibility on batsmen
Since his blazing form last season, RR have been invariably banking far too much on Jos Buttler, who’s had a patchy run so far. Although Rahane and Samson have stepped up on two different occasions, they need to keep doing that consistently. Rahul Tripathi had a standout season in 2017 with the Pune franchise, so a promotion up the order won’t hurt with the likes of Ben Stokes to follow. The RR batsmen need to take collective responsibility and reduce their dependency on Buttler
