The confidence of local players in the Rajasthan Royals ranks, coupled with their ability to implement the team gameplan in match situations, makes the team stand out in IPL 2015. Chennai Super Kings comes closest in extracting performances from its domestic players and the league table reflects the gap between them (14 points each) and the rest.
Ajinkya Rahane’s 91 not out for RR at the Brabourne stadium, in tandem with Karun Nair (61) set up the win against Delhi Daredevils. Dhaval Kulkarni and Stuart Binny grabbed two wickets each. Sanju Samson’s breathtaking 76 against Mumbai Indians a match earlier almost took the team to victory’s doorstep before the lower-order collapse.
Responsibility is bringing out the best in opener Rahane, already the leading run-maker with 430 runs. Nair (139 runs, 10 matches) is nearing last season’s form which fetched him 330 runs and a reputation as an effortless strokeplayer.
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Samson took time to slip into rhythm, but will be a different challenge for bowlers after he took apart the MI attack.
Australian Steve Smith describes the availability of so many local players as lucky for Rajasthan Royals. “We are lucky to have so many locals performing well. The captain (Shane Watson) mentioned it was difficult to choose the team from the options available, with many Indians in form at the same time.”
RR’s captain in the early stages of IPL-8, he made special mention of Nair and all-rounder Deepak Hooda. “Karun is among the runs at the moment. Hooda can execute what he sets out to do in play. If he wants to hit a boundary, he is confident of doing so and playing against spin, I have found him to be one the hardest hitters.”
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Smith brought up the value of Rahul Dravid’s presence as mentor. “His knowledge about the game is second to none,” said the Aussie about the former India and RR captain. “Having him around in a mentor role is proving useful to young Indians in our team.”
Rahane moved from MI to RR under Dravid, who reworked the batsman’s technique and thinking for Twenty20.
Thursday’s tie against Sunrisers Hyderabad is RR’s second match at the Brabourne, designated as home ground.
“We are looking for a couple of more wins to be among the qualifiers,” said Smith, from whom a better showing (195 runs, 10 matches averaging 27.85) is due.