IPL 2018, KXIP vs RR: 5 player battles to look forward to

#1 Ankit Rajpoot v Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler struggled in the middle-order during the first 7 games of the tournament but in his previous game, he was sent up the order and the Englishman played an explosive innings (67 off 26) that almost delivered a victory for RR. He would definitely be sent to open the innings tonight as well and it is his battle with KXIP fast bowler Ankit Rajpoot that will have a bearing on the direction of the RR innings.

Rajpoot, meanwhile, can work up some serious pace and has been an outstanding performer for KXIP in the 4 games that he has played so far. Rajpoot has taken 7 wickets (including an outstanding 5 wicket haul) and has recorded an economy rate of only 7.14. Those are excellent figures but an in-form Jos Buttler is a different kettle of fish and he would need to be at his very best to keep the Englishman in check. It promises to be the battle of the game.