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As the champions of the inaugural edition of IPL T20, Rajasthan Royals open up their campaign this year against Delhi Daredevils on the 6th of April, the role of the team’s big fish, Shane Watson, hasn’t been finalized yet. “Will he bowl or not?” looks to be the million dollar question which can only be answered by the Aussie all-rounder himself. As much as “Watto” is known for taking wickets in the shortest version of the game, he is also known for giving away runs and so, it cannot be termed a big loss altogether, if he does not bowl.
Even if Watson abstains from bowling, the team will still have the services of Kevon Cooper, a new find last year. Just when he was proving to be a worthy all-rounder for the Royals last year, he had to take an early flight home due to a grievous injury which he suffered while fielding. Rahul Dravid and his men would be hoping for him to stay fit throughout this season, and if he does well, he would be a regular member of this year’s playing XI. As long as he is able to take wickets, there will not be a need for any other overseas bowler in the team. Owais Shah and Brad Hodge are the other two foreign players who can give a strong look to the team by their explosive batting prowess.
Although Kevin Pietersen is out of the IPL this season, the Daredevils team looks to be a formidable batting line-up with Warner at the top, and Jayawardene to follow. It is quite natural for any opposition skipper to get intimidated upon seeing such dangerous batsmen take guard. So, Dravid may just think of bringing in strike bowlers like Shaun Tait to tighten the screws. To confront the sort of batsmen Delhi has, it would be ideal for the Royals captain to strengthen his own batting order rather than trying to get in bowlers who looked below par last year. Even though Tait is quick, he has the tendency to bowl no-balls, resulting in free hits. So it is better for the visiting team to have him seated on the bench, for the first few matches at least.
The Daredevils team has already earned the title of ‘chokers’ following their ordinary performances in the knockout stages of all IPL seasons. As the bulk of the scoring was done by Pietersen last year, his absence will, no doubt, be sorely felt. Without him in the middle order, Delhi has a big void to fill. So, psychologically, Rajasthan should feel they have a better chance to pull off an upset in their very first match, especially after seeing the way the Delhi batsmen crumbled against Knight Riders in their first match.
It is going to be a 4 pm start on Saturday and therefore, the dew factor is not expected to play a big role. So, the team batting second will not be holding any undue advantage in that sense as gripping the ball will be easy for the bowlers throughout the match. In one of the must win games for Rajasthan last year, where they batted second against Delhi, the pacers – Morne Morkel and Umesh Yadav – literally schooled the young Ajinkya Rahane, preventing him from scoring the last few runs when it looked as though Dravid’s men were cruising towards victory. Royals, and more importantly Rahane, would be looking forward to turn the tables this year and kick start the season with a win.
The pitch at Kotla, going by history, will be a placid one – good enough for some pounding by the batsmen. With shorter boundaries at both sides of the wicket, we are in for a run feast. However, the bowling attack of the Daredevils sports a dangerous look. Umesh Yadav, Morne Morkel, Irfan Pathan and Ashish Nehra are no ordinary bowlers to take guard against. To counter such a formidable bowling side, it is always advisable to have experienced players batting at the top. Ideally, it would be better for Dravid to accompany Rahane as the other opener. Watson and Menaria can bat at No.3 and No.4, leaving Hodge and Shah to have a stab at the middle overs. In any case, Rajasthan’s captain should opt to bat first and put some runs on the board if he wins the toss, rather than leaving his inexperienced young Indian batsmen to face the lethal quickies while chasing a stiff target.
Sreesanth, the lucky charm for India, can spearhead Rajasthan’s attack along with Siddharth Trivedi and Kevon Cooper. Also, they will have Ajit Chandila who took a hat-trick last year. They may not exactly be the sort of bowlers who could win you matches but this is where Dravid’s capabilities of marshalling his young troops will be tested. After all, it is a T20 game and the chances of getting wickets are aplenty.
Strengths: Experienced top order batsmen and Rahul Dravid’s captaincy.
Weaknesses: Fragile bowling attack and young Indian batsmen.
Rajasthan’s probable XI against Daredevils:
Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Dravid (C), Shane Watson, Ashok Menaria, Owais Shah, Brad Hodge, Shreevats Goswami, Kevon Cooper, Ajit Chandila, Siddharth Trivedi and S Sreesanth
