Rajasthan Royals is hardly looking imperial. Its majestic march has been arrested and it is now confronted with the task of regrouping its forces and launching the campaign afresh. With three defeats in the last four matches, Royals finds itself in a spot even as the Indian Premier League (IPL) warms up.
Kochi Tuskers Kerala has emerged the new crowd-puller, having flayed opponents like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in its last three encounters. The much-awaited clash then, between Royals and Tuskers at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium here on Sunday, has created a buzz in this historic city of forts and palaces.
There are no battles within the battle here. Royals has its mission cut out. Tuskers also has a job to perform. It is a matter of controlling your strengths and weaknesses over a period of 40 overs. It is not rocket science either. “You need to bat well, bowl well and field well,” as most captains would say. The same principle is applied in all forms of cricket.
Some games have looked a repeat of the past. Some have offered entertainment to the new breed of fans who mostly relish last-over results. Some situations appear contrived but then that is the essence of T20 cricket. Matches can swing extremely within the shortest of spans.
Huge test
It is a huge test for Shane Warne. His skills and leadership have not worked the same magic he has often been credited with. That he is a gifted sportsman can never be doubted but whipping others to attain the same degree of success can be a daunting task. Warne has done his best to motivate and encourage the team and it is time some of them delivered.
Warne observed, “We have won something like nine out of 12 games at home. We are a tough team to beat at home. But Kochi, Mumbai and Pune are tough sides. I must say there are no easy games in the IPL. I think anybody can beat anybody, that's what we have seen in the IPL. We play three games in 10 days at home. We need to win all three.”
Johan Botha, Rahul Dravid and Ashok Menaria have managed to score runs, but the pace and the scale of the contribution has not matched the requirement of the situation. The bowling too has paled with just Warne and Shaun Tait making an impact, even if at a high cost.
It is different with Tuskers. The team can boast of a better balance and also the drive to excel is greater in this new entrant to the IPL. The team's icon, S. Sreesanth, has played a subdued role but can be expected to explode anytime. He is a match-winner and needs the faith and support of the captain to do justice to his potential.
Tuskers has promised a lot in the last three matches through the innovative performances at the crease by Brendon McCullum and Ravindra Jadeja. They have made runs and made them in style. The team is also relieved by Mahela Jayawardene's availability for some more time. One can expect the Sri Lankan to show the way.
The expectations from this contest are realistic. The teams will have to be at their best and pray for one big innings that could decide the course.
On the Sawai Man Singh pitch, only the daring can thrive. It would be worth the wait to discover the shining knight who would make the difference under the lights.
