Must-win contest for both RCB and Royals

JAIPUR: It promises to be a showdown between this edition’s two most impactful batters in young Yashasvi Jaiswal and veteran Faf du Plessis when Rajasthan Royals takes on Royal Challengers Bangalore, which is looking to avoid a hat-trick of defeats, in an IPL match here on Sunday.

Both Jaiswal and du Plessis are in scintillating form and are the top-two run-getters in the tournament so far.

While du Plessis is leading the scoring charts with 576 runs from 11 innings, including six half centuries and a best of 84, Jaiswal is a close second with 575 runs from 12 knocks that includes four fifties and a 124-run knock.

It remains to be seen who gets the better of the other in Sunday’s high-profile clash.

If both fire on Sunday, it will be a run-fest for the spectators.

RCB will also look to avoid a hat-trick of defeats, having suffered losses against Mumbai Indians and laggard Delhi Capitals in its last two games.

The Royals, on the other hand, returned to winning ways with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday after three consecutive defeats, courtesy Jaiswal’s 47-ball 98 and skipper Sanju Samson’s 48 off 29 deliveries while chasing a modest 150-run target.

While Jos Buttler failed against KKR, he remains a big threat alongside Jaiswal at the top of the order for the Royals.

RR’s middle-order too looks pretty strong in the presence of Joe Root, Druv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer.

On the bowling front, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal shone bright against KKR with brilliant figures of 4/25, New Zealand quick Trent Boult has been steady upfront and returned with two wickets in its last match.

Sandeep Sharma has also been providing great support to Boult at the start, while in experienced Ravichandran Ashwin, the Rajasthan franchise has a wily customer who has the ability to turn the match on his own on his day.

RCB, on the other hand, lost its last two games against Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians and would be desperate to turn the tables around with a comprehensive win.

While du Plessis has been consistent with the bat throughout the tournament so far, Virat Kohli has sparkled in patches and RCB needs both the batters to fire at the top to provide it a good start.