New Delhi: Hosts Delhi will take on Rajasthan at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Wednesday. With six games left to play in the IPL league stage, Delhi are more or less out, unless they script a miraculous comeback and go on to win the remaining games. From here on, they cannot afford to lose a game if they harbour any hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. However, that looks a meek possibility as the team hasn't fired as a unit. Most of their big buys haven't done justice to their price tags and it has hurt Delhi's campaign in a grand manner. Delhi need to take tough calls on Wednesday and may opt for Jason Roy in place of misfiring Glenn Maxwell.
On the other hand, Rajasthan have remained inconsistent. With three wins in seven games, RR too have less time at hand to resurrect their campaign. A good thing about them is their batting which has clicked more often than not. All-rounder Jofra Archer has boosted their bowling, especially in the death overs. However, their biggest buy Ben Stokes hasn't put a strong foot forward. With the IPL having entered its second half, it is expected Stokes shines.
Delhi will look to settle scores against RR as the first leg at Jaipur saw the hosts claiming the tie in a rain-curtailed fixture. DD despite holding them well within the par total, were asked to chase 71 in six overs. Delhi lost the game by 10 runs.
These are the players to watch out for:
1. Sanju Samson: He will be returning to his previous home -- Delhi. He is in sublime form this season and DD bowlers will have a task to get his wicket. The way he has been relying on his timing against the quicks, it goes on to show that the seamers will have no room for error. With the Ferozeshah Kotla wicket on the slower side, he might have to change his game a little.
2. Jofra Archer: No prizes for guessing why he could be the impact player at Ferozeshah Kotla. The time when he comes to bowl during the middle overs, DD's best batsmen will be at the crease. And if Archer replicated what he has been doing -- hitting the blockhole with perfection -- mind you, it will not be easy to make runs against him at that pace.
3. Shreyas Iyer: Since the time he has taken up the captaincy from Gautam Gambhir, he has been a different player altogether. There are players who get egged on once responsibility is thrown upon them. Though Rishabh Pant has been firing in the middle order, Iyer holds the capability to set up a platform. And against RR, Iyer will be expected to play the lead role.
