IPL 5 Preview: Rajasthan Royals Vs Pune Warriors Match 60

Rajasthan Royals will host Pune Warriors on Sunday, May 13, 2012, and Dravid’s men will want to revive their campaign against relatively weak rivals. Royals’ loss to CSK in their last game has dealt a blow to RR’s hope of qualifying for the play off round.

But with three games to go, the Jaipur outfit must aim to win all three and hope that some of the other teams’ results pan out in their favour. Unfortunately for Royals, their remaining games don’t involve RCB, CSK or KXIP, their rivals for the last spot in the play offs, with the first three likely to go to DD, KKR and MI.

Had they had a game against any of their rivals for a play off spot, RR could have dealt a double blow by winning such game. But as it transpires, their remaining games are with PW, DC and MI, none of whom will be hurt by a loss to RR. Three more wins will mean nine wins overall and that may prove inadequate given that DD have already achieved that number in 13 games, KKR and MI have eight each in as many games, while RCB have seven in 13. RCB also have a point from a washed off game.

So for RR to qualify, assuming that they win all their remaining games, KXIP would have to lose once to DC, and twice to DD and beat CSK. CSK would have to lose to either KXIP or KKR, and RCB would have to lose to all three of DC, DD and MI. Such a coincidence of events would see RR trumping, KXIP, CSK and RCB on points and claiming the fourth play off spot. Stranger things have happened though I wouldn’t bet on it.

RR must be considered favourites to beat PW with a clear superiority in both batting and bowling.

The best thing that can be said for PW ahead of the game with RR is that there’s no pressure of expectation riding on them. They should use the opportunity to blood some of their younger players, like Tamim Iqbal.

Tags: CSK, Dravid, IPL, KKR, Preview, Pune Warriors, Rajasthan Royals, RCB, Result

Category: Cricket, IPL News