DD vs RR: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”. Delhi after 8 games in the IPL have registered only 2 wins and are at the bottom of the table. DD find themselves in a flimsy state where one defeat can eliminate them. They now need to win at least 5 games of the remaining six, more convenient would be six wins in six. But considering their form, winning every game hereafter is an impossible task. However, they’ve got to hold their chin up, trust their players and do the basics right. DD vs RR will be an intense bout also because it’s that part of the tournament where run-rates also will hold significance.

RR, on the other hand, have been in a jumble. They’ve probably got one of the strongest teams but how they’ve faltered can’t be gauged. The introduction of Jofra Archer has been a huge positive. Can the likes of Ben Stokes and Sanju Samson step up when the team needs them the most? RR, in order to qualify for the playoffs, have to win at least 4. Possible? Only time will tell.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

VENUE: FEROZ SHAH KOTLA, DELHI

PITCH CONDITIONS

The pitch at the Kotla hasn’t been much so far. Only two games have been played on this wicket this season. Delhi put up a mammoth 219 in their previous game at home and the pitch wouldn’t change much. Chasing has become trickier as the season has progressed but at the Kotla, chasing will be easier.

STATS AT THE VENUE

TEAM NEWS

Both teams might not tweak with their combinations. Delhi had a decent outing in Pune and are likely to remain unchanged.

Rajasthan Royals will like their star overseas players to step up. Stokes and Buttler are the biggies of the game. Their contribution will make life easier for Rajasthan. As far as changes are concerned, RR might walk in with the same eleven.

EXPECTED PLAYING 11

DELHI DAREDEVILS

Prithvi Shaw, Colin Munro, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Liam Plunkett/Daniel Christian, Amit Mishra, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan

RAJASTHAN ROYALS

Ajinkya Rahane(c), Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Jofra Archer, Mahipal Lomror, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni, Ish Sodhi.

FANFIGHT TEAM FOR DD vs RR

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PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

THE MIGHTY BEN

Ben Stokes, the costliest player at the players’ auctions has been docile in this year’s IPL. Not what we expect of the powerful all-rounder. He’s shown glimpses of what he can do, but RR need him to stay at the wicket for longer durations. In this year’s IPL Stokes has averaged 21 with the bat and has picked a solitary wicket in 102 deliveries he’s bowled. If RR fancy to challenge the league leaders, Stoke is the man they’ll be relying on. Can he produce the goods in a crunch game? He’s done it in the past. He’ll be the player to watch out for.

Stokes in T20s – Matches: 99, Runs: 1869, Strike-rate: 136.84, Wickets: 47, Economy rate: 8.46

JOFRA ARCHER

Archer has lit the league on fire in the two games he’s played for RR. He had a huge reputation before the league started but couldn’t play the first 5 games due to an injury. You watch him bowl and it’s very evident why he’s considered to be a star for the future. An athletic run-up, a powerful action and speeds in the excess of 145 kmph. Archer is the next big thing. Not just in the IPL or any T20 league, but in all formats. In the two games he’s played so far, he’s picked 3/22 and 3/26. The fact that he’s adapted to the Indian conditions in a jiffy shows his maturity, game awareness & mental fitness. He’s a star already and he’s going to shine even brighter.

PRITHVI SHAW

A hundred in his Ranji trophy debut and a hundred in his Duleep Trophy debut. No, this is not Sachin Tendulkar we’re talking about, but a youngster from the same city, Prithvi Shaw. Again, comparison with Sachin would be a way too early but that was just the build up. Shaw has got the right temperament, all the shots in the book and a will to perform at the highest level. The U-19 world cup winning captain in his first three IPL innings has scored 22, 62 and 9 respectively. The array of shots he’s got in his arsenal make him a real strong contender for the FanFight fantasy team. You bowl a 150 kmph rocket at him, he’ll drive it easily through the covers. Like Archer, he’s got huge potential and he’s only going to get better.

SQUADS

DELHI DAREDEVILS

Shreyas Iyer, Chris Morris, Rishabh Pant, Glenn Maxwell, Gautam Gambhir(c), Jason Roy, Colin Munro, Mohammed Shami, Amit Mishra, Prithvi Shaw, Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Shahbaz Nadeem, Daniel Christian, Jayant Yadav, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Trent Boult, Manjot Kalra, Abhishek Sharma, Sandeep Lamichhane, Naman Ojha, Sayan Ghosh, Liam Plunkett.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS

Ben Stokes, Stuart Binny, Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Rahul Tripathi, D Arcy Short, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Ankit Sharma, Anureet Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Prashant Chopra, Sudhesan Midhun, Ben Laughlin, Mahipal Lomror, Aryaman Birla, Jatin Saxena, Dushmantha Chameera, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Heinrich Klaasen, Ish Sodhi.