Batting woes in focus as Royals face RCB.
As Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Saturday, both sides will seek answers to questions surrounding their listless top orders. RCB skipper Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell have disappointed despite their pedigree. Virat Kohli has shone alone. The middle order has rallied around him but greater substance is required up top.
RR have found runs from Sanju Samson and the resurgent Riyan Parag. However, the stutters of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler weigh heavy, given their reputations.
Both camps will hope the smooth Sawai Man Singh Stadium surface aids strokeplay. Its similarities to RCB’s Chinnaswamy ground may offer encouragement.
RR possess an edge in the bowling department thanks to Trent Boult, Nathan Borges and Yuzvendra Chahal’s early success. The trio will pose problems for RCB’s unsettled batsmen.
The clash also sees RR using home advantage against an RCB side they narrowly trail 15-12 overall in past meetings. A playoff berth is at stake for the chasing pair as the season reaches halfway.
With the tournament reaching a critical phase, Saturday’s Jaipur encounter could serve as a launching pad for revival or further distress, depending on which top order finally finds a rhythm.
