IPL 2019 – Match 21: Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders – RR Predicted Playing XI

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) took four games to register their first win of this season. This much-awaited victory for the ‘Men in Pink’ came against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last game. They would hope that this will be the start of many more victories to come.

They will be next facing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who also defeated RCB in their last game. The Royals will have their task cut out in this game as they do not have the bowling to stop someone like Andre Russell. A lot will depend on their batting but they’ll also look to strengthen the bowling attack at the same time.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for the Rajasthan Royals (RR):

Openers (Jos Buttler (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (c))

Jos Buttler will have a massive role if RR are to compete hard against KKR. He’ll have to bat all through the 20 overs of the game and place his team in a good position. Since they do not have many attacking options in the middle-order, Buttler’s knock could potentially decide the result of the match.

Ajinkya Rahane also needs to play some aggressive cricket in this game. The right-hander needs to make the optimum use of the powerplay along with Jos Buttler and score as many runs as possible in the first six overs without losing many wickets. It remains interesting as to how he uses his bowlers in this match.

Middle Order (Steve Smith, Sanju Samson, Rahul Tripathi)

Steve Smith’s best spot in the eleven is at number three. There is no news as yet about Ashton Turner’s availability. Thus, Smith will continue in the eleven and will have to start making an impact. He played a good knock in the last match but it didn’t come at a great pace. However, his role will be important for the team.

Sanju Samson might have recovered by now. If he is fit, he can be put into the eleven straight away. He forms an important part of the middle-order and might bat at four. Rahul Tripathi has done well in the last two games. Ideally, he should be batting at five but might be slotted down the order depending on the situation of the game.

All Rounders (Ben Stokes, Krishnappa Gowtham)

Ben Stokes’ bowling form is a huge matter of concern for RR this season. The English all-rounder has been leaking a lot of runs and isn’t picking up wickets either. If he can get back at his best with the ball, RR will be a force to reckon with. With the bat, he has been doing well. He should take up the role of the finisher for his team.

Krishnappa Gowtham is a bowler who can bat a bit. He has got long levers and can clear the fence if required. But it is with the ball where he’ll be able to create a bigger impact. If Gowtham can pick two or three batsmen early on in the powerplay, that will put a lot of pressure on the middle-order.

Bowlers (Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Dhawal Kulkarni, Sudhesan Midhun)

RR will have Jofra Archer and Dhawal Kulkarni in their pace department. Jofra Archer can be used to break the KKR middle-order if possible. Dhawal Kulkarni, on the other hand, will open the bowling for the team. Dhawal needs to vary his pace cleverly and try to deceive the KKR openers. Rahane might look to finish at least three of his overs right at the top.

Shreyas Gopal and Sudhesan Midhun will be the spinners in the RR line-up. Gopal has been bowling brilliantly and has picked up the wickets of both Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the last game. He will be the biggest strength to the side. Sudhesan is also a leg-spinner and will hope to make a similar impact. No team has tried spinners in the early part of Russell’s innings thus far. RR might look to explore this option.

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