Ahmedabad, May 22 (UNI) The Narendra Modi Stadium here witnessed a momentous occasion as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) won the toss and opted to field against an unchanged Royal Challengers Bengaluru in today’s IPL Eliminator clash.
The decision sets the stage for a thrilling encounter between two formidable teams in the prestigious tournament.
In a pre-match toss interview, Rajasthan Royals’ captain, Sanju Samson, elaborated on his choice to bowl first, citing the prevailing conditions and the characteristics of the pitch. He highlighted the presence of dew from the previous night and underscored the significance of a positive mindset in approaching the high-stakes game.
Expressing his enthusiasm for playing in the electric atmosphere of the stadium, Samson delved into the valuable lessons cricket imparts, particularly in overcoming challenges such as fitness and injuries. Additionally, he revealed the inclusion of Shimron Hetmyer in the team lineup, adding depth to their batting arsenal.
Responding to Samson’s decision, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s skipper, Faf du Plessis, affirmed that his team would have made a similar choice. He noted the assistance for seam bowlers early in the game and commented on the dryness of the pitch, accentuated by a layer of fake grass.
Du Plessis reiterated his team’s commitment to honing individual skills and emphasised the importance of staying true to their unique style of play. Reflecting on their previous encounter against CSK, he stressed the philosophy of ‘less is more’ and underscored the significance of trusting players during critical junctures of the tournament.
The impending clash between RR and RCB promises to be a riveting spectacle, with both teams vying for a crucial victory in their IPL campaign.
Teams
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik(w), Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson.
Impact players: Swapnil Singh, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Himanshu Sharma.
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Impact players: Shubham Dubey, Donovan Ferreira, Nandre Burger, Shimron Hetmyer, Tanush Kotian.
