Royals desperate to end winless run

Match facts

Sunday, May 3, 2015
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)

Play 02:43

Big Picture

From being homeless, Rajasthan Royals have gone winless in no time. Delhi Daredevils, on the other hand, seem to have started getting it right, with their first-choice eleven finally available for selection.

After winning their first five matches of the season, Royals have failed to win any of their last five. With two of those games washed out, Royals have seen an addition of two points to their kitty. That has helped them retain their top-two standing. But with just four matches remaining, Royals would know they are running out of time to get back to winning ways.

Delhi Daredevils have no such problems. After a slowish start, they have started appearing as a more consistent unit and have moved from the bottom of the pile into the Playoffs cut-off. A win against a higher-ranked team would bolster their chances to make the cut.

It is supposed to be a home game for the Royals but the Brabourne Stadium will see its first game of the season. Royals may hold the edge, not just because of a strong presence of Mumbai players in their squad, but also due to the fact that they had a pre-tournament camp at Cricket Club of India. Delhi would also be far from alien to the conditions, with Mumbaikars Zaheer Khan, Shreyas Iyer and Pravin Amre being vital cogs in their set-up.

Form guide

Rajasthan Royals LLLWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)

Delhi Daredevils WLWLW

Watch out for…

It took him seven innings to score his first fifty of the season but Sanju Samson would still be cursing himself for having failed to see his team through against Mumbai Indians on Friday night. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been shuffled in the batting order as much as Steven Smith's horizontal movement at the crease. Samson appeared comfortable at No. 3 and would look to build on his good form.

Zaheer Khan was considered to be more of a bowling coach rather than being a player. But the injury-prone bowler made his presence felt in the first game he played for a year by dismissing Virender Sehwag off his second ball. If Zaheer can keep himself fit, Daredevils would have a lethal pace combo in him and an in-form Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Stats and trivia

• Ajinkya Rahane is six runs shy of becoming the 20th batsman to tally 2000 IPL runs. With 1846 of his 1994 IPL runs having been scored for Royals, Rahane sits behind Shane Watson (2197 runs) in leading scorers for Royals in IPL.

• Amit Mishra needs one wicket to become the first bowler to earn 50 wickets for Delhi Daredevils in IPL.

• Rajasthan Royals are one win away from joining Chennai Super Kings (75) and Mumbai Indians (60) to join the 60-win club in IPL.

Quotes

"In our team even if you don't do well you can see so many people coming to you and talking positive things to you."

Sanju Samson on being a part of Rajasthan Royals

"We now have to win 4 out of the remaining 6 games. That's how we are looking at it."

Zaheer Khan spells out Daredevils' target of winning eight games to progress