IPL 2020, MATCH 9: RR VS KXIP – PREVIEW

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The 9th Match Of IPL 2020 Played Between RR Vs KXIP Would Be Held At Sharjah Cricket Stadium:

It’s match-day 9 in the Dream11 Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 as Rajasthan Royals (RR) square off against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

RR made a solid start to their IPL 2020 campaign, beating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 16 runs. While Sanju Samson and Steve Smith scored an impressive 74 and 69 respectively, and Jofra Archer chipped in with a quickfire 27* off 8, Rahul Tewatia picked up three to power RR to a win.

Coming to KXIP, after a Super Over-defeat against Delhi Capitals and beating Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on the back of a KL Rahul batting masterclass on Thursday, they bounced back in style. Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin, the KXIP spinners, played their part in sealing a major 97-run win.

We may witness a mouth-watering clash in Sharjah with RR and KXIP both looking to continue their winning run and add two more points to their account, and here are our picks that could make a difference to their teams’ fortunes.

Key Players:

1. Sanju Samson

In their opening game against CSK, Sanju Samson was crucial to RR ‘s success. He smashed 74 out of 32 and then did a decent job of taking 2 catches and as many stumpings as a wicketkeeper. RR would not mind if Samson has an encore of the performance he put up against CSK, with his ability to time the ball to perfection and score at a brisk pace.

2. KL Rahul

As he slammed 132 * off 69 balls to set up a 97-run victory, the KXIP skipper was on a roll, leading from the front. In his whirlwind innings, the wicketkeeper-batsman, who led his side for only the second time, hit 14 fours and 7 sixes and KXIP will again hope that all guns blazing against RR will come out of the stylish right-hander.

3. Jos Buttler

The obligatory quarantine is over, and his IPL 2020 campaign is ready for Jos Buttler to tee off. It is anticipated that the England wicketkeeper-batsman will open the innings for RR and his destructive abilities with the bat do not require any introduction. In his approach to hitting, the right-hander can tonk the ball and can also be quite cheeky. As RR is searching for their second win in a row now, Buttler will be the player they’re going to rely on.

4. Sheldon Cottrell

During KXIP ‘s victory over RCB, the left-arm pacer picked up two wickets, including that of Virat Kohli, and Sheldon Cottrell will be pumped up to add a few more wickets (and those salutes) to his account as KXIP takes on RR.

5. Ravi Bishnoi

These may still be the early days, but KXIP’s first-choice spin-bowling option turns out to be Ravi Bishnoi. In his first IPL game, the young leg-spinner picked up a wicket against DC before scalping three during KXIP ‘s win against RCB. KXIP wants him to continue his strong run of form and lead them to the season’s second victory.

Wild Card:

1. Rahul Tewatia

Rahul Tewatia, traded to RR ahead of IPL 2020, repaid the confidence his side showed in him. During RR’s 16-run victory over CSK, he picked up three wickets. As the team looks to continue their winning streak, the leg-spinning all-rounder will aim to take his good form into RR’s second game.

Statistics:

1. RR has lost their only game against KXIP at this venue in 2014
2. KXIP (overall) record at this venue: Played 2, Won 2

Approaching Milestone:

1. Sanju Samson needs 2 sixes to complete 100 IPL sixes and needs 62 runs to complete 1000 IPL runs as wicketkeeper.
2. Jos Buttler needs 114 runs to complete 1500 IPL runs
3. KL Rahul needs 95 runs to complete 1500 IPL runs for KXIP
4. Karun Nair needs 20 runs to complete 1500 IPL runs

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