IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-Ups to Watch-Out in RR VS DC Match No.11

IPL 2023: Rajasthan Royals (RR) will host Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 11th game of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) at Royals’ home ground in Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday afternoon (April 8). It’s pretty even-stevens when it comes to their previous record against each other. Out of the 26 times that the Royals and Capitals have faced each other, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals both have emerged victorious 13 times. 

During the first match of the season, while fielding their full-strength side Rajasthan Royals registered a comprehensive, one-sided victory against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 72 runs in Hyderabad, after piling on 203 runs on the board batting first. However, in their first home game of the season in Guwahati, they were handed a disappointing loss by Punjab Kings (PBKS). The Royals will be sweating over the fitness of their star batter Jos Buttler, who got injured in the last game while fielding. Young batter Dhruv Jurel gave a good account of himself in the last game. After a defeat in the last game, RR will be looking to get back to the winning ways.

Delhi Capitals is one of the three teams to have not opened their account yet this season. So far Capitals have played two games in the tournament. They started the season with a big loss against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the away fixture. In the home game, they surrendered to the defending champions. The star-studded top order has failed to fire so far in the tournament. Bowlers have done well but they haven’t received enough support from the batters. All players will be available for DC in an important fixture against RR. They would like to avoid a hat-trick of defeats. 

IPL 2023: Top Player Battles to Keep an Eye On in RR VS DC Game

3) Prithvi Shaw vs Trent Boult

Shaw once again finds himself on the radar of his critics. The Capitals opener has scored 19 runs in his first two innings and on both occasions, he was beaten by pace. Having not scored many runs, he is due for a big one. He will look for a big one against RR. If he gets going, he could definitely punish the opposition bowlers. Hence, it would be imperative for the Royals to see the back of him early. RR’s left-arm pacer Trent Boult is someone who strikes key blows early with the new ball more often than not. He can get the ball to talk and make a massive impact at the start of the innings. Notably, Boult holds the upper hand over Shaw, claiming his wicket thrice in IPL history. The dynamic young opener has a strike rate of only 112 against Boult and scored 28 runs. It could be one of the deciding factors of the RR VS DC game.

2) Axar Patel vs Sanju Samson

Since it’s an afternoon game, the spin is expected to play a role in this game which brings Axar Patel’s left-arm spin into play. The DC vice-captain didn’t bowl a single over in the last game but with many right-handers in the RR lineup, he will have a big part to play. Among all the right-handers, he will be targeting the key wicket of Royals skipper Sanju Samson. The left-arm Axar has dismissed the Royals batter twice in 11 IPL meetings. Samson has looked the best of all Royals batters and he will be looking to dominate the DC bowlers. To keep Samson quiet and to get his wicket, Delhi captain David Warner might turn to Axar. Samson will head into Saturday’s contest against DC with great rhythm. If he gets a start, he could cause a headache for the opposition team. Axar might have a bigger role to play against RR if Samson is around when he comes on to bowl.

1) Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Anrich Nortje

Jaiswal has consolidated his position at the top of the order after his masterful knock in the first game against SRH. The left-handed batter has been scoring a lot of runs in the domestic circuit. He is in great touch and for DC to win, they have to get rid of the young opener early in the innings. Given the form he is in, it will be imperative for Delhi to dismiss Jaiswal early. If the uncapped batter gets his eye in, the bowlers could be sent on a leather hunt again. joined the Punjab camp for IPL 2023 after completing his national duty. In the powerplay, he will be up against the express pace bowler Anrich Nortje. Marking his return to the league, Nortje removed both openers in his first game of the season against GT. With his express pace, Nortje can unsettle the best of the batters and he will be eyeing Jaiswal’s wicket. It would be interesting to see who wins the battle.