Jaipur: If there is one thing that Rajasthan Royals would like to rectify this season, it is the inconsistent showing from their middle-order, which cost them a few games last season. This area has over the years looked fragile for the Sanju Samson-led side. With Rovman Powell, the West Indies T20 captain, being brought into the squad, Royals will look to plug the gap.Powell will join compatriot Shimron Hetmyer along with Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag in the middle.
As the Royals open their campaign against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at their home ground SMS Stadium here on Sunday, their captain Samson is banking on Powell’s experience while backing the Indian youngsters.
“We have done our homework from last season and the last auction went really well. We are lucky to have the experience of someone like Rovman Powel in our batting line-up. An international captain like him brings a lot of value to the franchise. And a lot of youngsters are also in form as you can see their performance in the recent domestic and Indian season. Jaiswal, Parag and Jurel have had their best seasons,” the Royals skipper said on the eve of the match.
Royals can take immense pride in the way Yashasvi Jaiswal’s graph is rising. Joining him at the other end to open the innings is famed T20 veteran Jos Buttler. If the 22-year-old is coming at the back of a defining performance in the Test series against England with 712 runs to his name in 9 innings, the 33-year-old Englishman is fresh from a fine outing at the SA20 league where he piled up 408 runs in 11 games.
The Jaipur-based franchise is looking forward to Jaiswal winning matches for them like the 2023 season when he scored profusely, 625 runs in 14 outings at a strike rate of 163.61.
“Yashasvi is someone I have been working closely with from the last two-three years. He has matured a lot, but I don’t think he is going through his best phase. His best phase is yet to come, I believe. He has great potential and there is a lot more in him that we are yet to see. He is very hungry to perform and win games. It is very exciting for me as captain and we are looking forward to him winning more games for the Royals,” Samson added.
On the other hand, if LSG can be confident about their middle-order with Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis in charge, the fitness of their skipper KL Rahul will be key. The India wicketkeeper has recently recovered from quadriceps injury and is likely to play purely as a batsman.
With Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal and Trent Boult in their ranks, the hosts have an edge over the Lucknow franchise.
As the Royals open their campaign against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at their home ground SMS Stadium here on Sunday, their captain Samson is banking on Powell’s experience while backing the Indian youngsters.
“We have done our homework from last season and the last auction went really well. We are lucky to have the experience of someone like Rovman Powel in our batting line-up. An international captain like him brings a lot of value to the franchise. And a lot of youngsters are also in form as you can see their performance in the recent domestic and Indian season. Jaiswal, Parag and Jurel have had their best seasons,” the Royals skipper said on the eve of the match.
Royals can take immense pride in the way Yashasvi Jaiswal’s graph is rising. Joining him at the other end to open the innings is famed T20 veteran Jos Buttler. If the 22-year-old is coming at the back of a defining performance in the Test series against England with 712 runs to his name in 9 innings, the 33-year-old Englishman is fresh from a fine outing at the SA20 league where he piled up 408 runs in 11 games.
The Jaipur-based franchise is looking forward to Jaiswal winning matches for them like the 2023 season when he scored profusely, 625 runs in 14 outings at a strike rate of 163.61.
“Yashasvi is someone I have been working closely with from the last two-three years. He has matured a lot, but I don’t think he is going through his best phase. His best phase is yet to come, I believe. He has great potential and there is a lot more in him that we are yet to see. He is very hungry to perform and win games. It is very exciting for me as captain and we are looking forward to him winning more games for the Royals,” Samson added.
On the other hand, if LSG can be confident about their middle-order with Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis in charge, the fitness of their skipper KL Rahul will be key. The India wicketkeeper has recently recovered from quadriceps injury and is likely to play purely as a batsman.
With Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal and Trent Boult in their ranks, the hosts have an edge over the Lucknow franchise.