Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals have played four times in the Indian Premier League with Rajasthan winning thrice and Hyderabad once. Catch all the updates here....
Sunrisers Hyderabad look to return to their winning ways when they take on Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Catch all the updates here (Scorecard | Commentary | Points Table | Full Schedule):
PREVIEW
Up against an outfit that is struggling to stay afloat, fancied Rajasthan Royals will look to consolidate their position in the pecking order when they lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League on Thursday.
Rajasthan Royals staged a dramatic fightback to bow down Kolkata Knight Riders by 10 runs in their last match, while Sunrisers Hyderabad were overshadowed by Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Led by inspiring Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, Rajasthan are placed third in the points table with five wins and two reverses, while SRH are struggling to keep their chances alive in the competition. Watson has always been the key man in the RR set-up.
Young Karun Nair has shown promise at the top of the order and RR can expect a lot from him. 42-year-old leg-spinner Pravin Tambe continues to catch attention with his impressive performance, the last coming against KKR.
As far as Sunrisers Hyderabad are concerned, skipper Shikhar Dhawan will need to lead from the front. A good start is of paramount importance in this form of the game, and Dhawan knows it too well. (Read Full Preview)
ROYALS TRYING TO FORGET SPOT-FIXING SCANDAL
Rajasthan Royals CEO Raghu Iyer said there is still some time left before they win back the confidence of the sponsors following the last year's spot-fixing scandal.
"As far as fans are concerned, you have to go by the numbers flocking to the stadium. Overall, the crowd in the UAE was good and I am sure we will get good attendance in all our matches in our new home in Ahmedabad," he said.
"Last season, we played three games after the controversy and we still witnessed a packed house. So the cricket fans usually remain unaffected but the sponsors require communication which is being done and action (on spot-fixing) which will be taken," added Iyer, who has been the team's CEO since the start of the IPL in 2008.
Royals had 18 sponsors (10 jersey sponsors, 8 partners) last year and the number remains same this year with one less name on the team jersey.
"Some of our sponsors have stayed away this year. May be they have taken a break for a year and will come back next year," said Iyer.
The team's co-owner Raj Kundra's name was also dragged in the IPL scandal but betting allegations against him are yet to be proved.
The revelations of last season has ensured the security cover around the teams is much bigger this time. (Read Full Story)
DRAVID IS THE MAN BEHIND THE SCENES
Rajasthan Royals batsman Karun Nair, who fashioned the team's emphatic win over Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League 2014, says encouragement from captain Shane Watson and mentor Rahul Dravid is helping him perform as an opener.
With Dravid now watching the action from the sidelines, Nair has been batting alongside Ajinkya Rahane at the top.
The Karnataka batsman's unbeaten 73 off 50 balls not only ensured the team chase Daredevils' 152 for five with ease, the solid knock could help him establish his place in the Rajasthan playing eleven.
"There is always pressure when you have got quality batsmen waiting in the dug-out. I was looking to give myself little more time in the middle and Watto and the support staff backed me to do well. That really helped," Nair said of his effort.
"Even Rahul [Dravid] just told me to play with confidence and take more time at the centre. He has been of great help," said the 22-year-old, who last year scored three hundreds for Karnataka in his debut Ranji Trophy season, helping his team win its first Ranji title in 15 years. (Read Full Story)
THE DROPPED CATCH THAT COST HYDERABAD THE MATCH
Karn Sharma was the star for Sunrisers Hyderabad with the ball against Royal Challengers Bangalore but the leg-spinner rues the 'tough' drop chance of AB de Villiers as he feels the wicket could have titled the match in his side's favour.
Chasing Sunrisers' 155 for six, De Villiers produced one of the most devastating Twenty20 innings as he smashed an unbeaten 89 from just 42 balls to single-handedly power RCB to a sensational four-wicket victory here last night.
The South African batsman, however, got a reprieve when he was on 30 as Karn dropped a tough chance at backward point off Irfan Pathan's bowling.
"If I had held on to that catch, maybe the game could have swung in our favour. But it is part and parcel of the game; at times you hold on to those and sometimes they don't stick to your hands," said Karn, who registered impressive figures of three for 17 from his four overs against RCB.
For Karn it was his "best performance" this season and the wickets of Chris Gayle, Rilee Rossouw and Yuvraj Singh made it more special. (Read Full Story)
Story first published on: Thursday, 08 May 2014 17:42
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