The players from both sides know all it will take is two giant steps. Rajasthan Royals have another shot at glory. Royal Challengers Bangalore have rightly earned one. These two teams will meet for the third time this season. But the player battles for this game will be unlike the other two. It is the all-or-nothing royal clash between two sides chasing history. Lets look at the RR vs RCB Key Player Battles
We look at the RR vs RCB Key Player Battles
#1 Jos Buttler vs Josh Hazlewood
The RR opener, Jos Buttler woke up from the second half slumber in the first qualifier. Buttler waded his way back into form. He struggled to pick Rashid Khan but didn’t throw it away. Buttler’s carnage at the death helped RR post a sizeable score. He has already breached the 700-run mark this season.
Buttler though will be upset that his runs couldn’t help his side prevail. He will be eager to go one better in the second qualifier. For him to bat deep and bat big, he will first have to counter the Josh Hazlewood challenge. The RCB seamer bowled a game-changing penultimate over in the eliminator. He will be high on confidence coming into the second qualifier. His hard lengths will test Buttler upfront. If he manages to nip him out early, RCB will be a happy bunch.
#2 Sanju Samson vs Wanindu Hasaranga
It is a no-brainer now that Wanindu Hasaranga has a wood over Sanju Samson. The RCB spinner will be brought into the attack no sooner than Sanju Samson walks in. He has already dismissed the RR captain twice already. If RR has to get through to the finals, Samson has to play a big inning. He will have to overcome the Hasaranga challenge.
#3 Shimron Hetmyer vs Harshal Patel
He has been one of the best finishers at the death. Shimron Hetmyer has powered RR to solid totals this season. RR will be banking on him to go big in the end overs. He will face the death-overs specialist, Harshal Patel in this game. Patel has largely come out on top in the slog overs. His defining role in choking opponents at the death is now becoming part of IPL folklore. It will be a top contest between two proven performers.
#4 Rajat Patidar vs Trent Boult
In a top-order featuring Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, it has been uncapped Rajat Patidar who has stolen the show. He blew away LSG with a century for the ages. Patidar has been in some form this season. His ability to strike from ball one liberates the rest of the batting order. He will be the key for RCB against the ever-reliable Trent Boult. If Boult manages to get rid of Patidar, it will be RR right on top.
#5 Glenn Maxwell vs Yuzvendra Chahal
If there is one contest in the qualifier that can be termed box-office, it has to be this. Glenn Maxwell vs Yuzvendra Chahal always has the potential to light up a game. Maxwell is someone who is known to take the attack to the spinners. It won’t be any different when he comes up against Chahal. Chahal on the other hand will be waiting for Maxwell to go after him. The wily wrist-spinner has already trumped the best in the business this season. Big show vs grandmaster will be the matchup of the game.
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