IPL 2021: RCB vs RR Game Plan 1 – Big batting guns look to fire in Mumbai

The 16th match of the IPL 2021 tournament between the blockbuster teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals, could all be about match-ups. Here, we take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the sixteenth game of IPL 2021 – RCB vs RR. It has been a contrasting IPL […]
 
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IPL 2021: RCB vs RR Game Plan 1 – Big batting guns look to fire in Mumbai

The 16th match of the IPL 2021 tournament between the blockbuster teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals, could all be about match-ups. Here, we take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the sixteenth game of IPL 2021 – RCB vs RR.

It has been a contrasting IPL season so far, regarding the venues. While the Wankhede stadium has produced high-scoring games, Chennai has acted as a negative catalyst to balance the overall scoring rate. 

Another high-scoring game is on the cards in Mumbai, after the fun run-fest between KKR and CSK, as two high-quality batting units take on each other. While RCB boast of Kohli’s class, Maxwell’s madness and ABD’s genius, RR have Samson’s audacity, Buttler’s range and Miller’s power.

However, there have been some (mini) collapses in the powerplay in Mumbai. Both RR and RCB have below-par bowling attacks (for non-powerplay overs) in these conditions. Thus, utilising the new ball is very important for both sides.

RCB vs RR: RR’s bowling attack looks bleak without Archer and they need a gun spinner

To reduce the effect of Jofra Archer’s absence in this phase, RR have played three left-arm seamers in their last two games. That left-arm angle is hard to tackle with the new ball, particularly for RHBs. However, none of them is going to trouble batsmen with a quick movement, unlike Archer. 

IPL 2021: RCB vs RR Game Plan 1 – Big batting guns look to fire in Mumbai

Despite his limited skill-set, Chetan Sakariya has been impressive. He has a good in-swinger and is capable of utilising the new ball movement. But his low speed might give batsmen some time to adjust. 

Jaydev Unadkat is also capable of moving the new but a bit. However, he also relies on their slow-ball variations. Unadkat has scalped wickets on both of his off-cutters in the powerplay this season. The pitch might be a bit tacky at the start, thus, it might play in his favour. Thus, RCB openers should be well prepared to read their slower deliveries. 

Mustafizur is likely to bowl just one over in this phase and unlikely to trouble cause enough problems for RCB.

Chris Morris might get some pacy movement with the new ball, however, he is unlikely to bowl in the first four overs. RR’s bowling in other phases is already an issue and they can’t afford Morris to bowl two overs upfront. Also, it’s not feasible because of the powerplay specialists’ presence (not exactly, but roles!). 

ALSO READ: RCB’s success mantra in IPL 2021 so far

Kohli really enjoys batting in Mumbai and his best is likely to come out as an opener. With his gap-finding skills, the RCB skipper is well equipped to maximize the powerplay. He has looked to attack in the powerplay this season, so that’s a positive sign for RCB.

Devdutt Padikkal hasn’t started IPL 2021 on a good note, however, the youngster displayed his ability to clear the 30-yards circle against pacers in the powerplay in the last season. Thus, on a good batting surface, he might have a good day. 

But, Morris should try bowling back-of-length deliveries into his body from over the wicket. Also, keeping balls away from his arc — in the wide outside off-stump — should help. It hasn’t been very well exploited by teams as the sample size of 10 balls against pacers in the powerplay tells.

In case RCB promote any Indian domestic batsman or play Finn Allen, the madness is likely to only increase at the top of the order. 

Archer was always going to be a huge miss for the Pink Army, however, Shreyas Gopal’s form has made it worse for them. Gopal has been struggling with his form since the last domestic season and it’s a big blow to RR. 

An in-form Gopal might have been handy against RCB. Rajasthan can try Mayank Markande though. His googlies might be effective against RCB.

Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers are unlikely to face many troubles in this game. Chris Morris will have to be exceptionally good with his executions, especially of yorkers. Morris can try bouncing out Maxwell but the short boundary dimensions of Wankhede might not help.

In case RR feel the need for extra pace, Kartik Tyagi is a good option, given he is fit.

RCB vs RR: Can Siraj and Chahal stop Buttler and Samson?

Jos Buttler looked in good touch against CSK in the last game and he would be itching to get a big score. Buttler is arguably the best powerplay batter in the IPL at the moment. Thus, RCB need to send him back quickly in the powerplay. 

 

Since IPL 2020, Buttler has been dismissed twice against nip-backers by pacers in the powerplay. While facing 19 such balls, he strikes at just 42 and has a high false shot percentage of 36.8%.

IPL 2021: RCB vs RR Game Plan 1 – Big batting guns look to fire in Mumbai

Jos Buttler’s pace troubles in the powerplay in IPL since 2020

RCB have a good powerplay pacer in Mohammed Siraj. Among bowlers who have picked up at least five wickets in the powerplay since IPL 2020, only Jofra Archer has a better bowling average than Siraj. 

The right-arm quick has snared four wickets by nip-backers in this phase and duration. In general, Siraj is skilled to extract the seam movement off the deck and swing, if available, will enhance him even more. 

Other incoming deliveries as inswingers and yorkers might be useful as well. If the deck is slow, RCB bowlers can also try off-cutters and knuckle balls as Buttler isn’t very adept at picking them.

Siraj can also outfox Sanju Samson, and might even take a chance by bowling in the wide outside off-stump depending on the movement on the offer.

RCB might also consider bringing Navdeep Saini who bettered his powerplay bowling performance in the last season. He will add another dimension to the attack and will be useful against the likes of Dube and Tewatia.

 Yuzvendra Chahal has a good record against Sanju Samson. While facing 33 balls against Chahal in the IPL, Samson has managed a strike rate of about 90 and got out on five occasions. Samson’s overall record, or since 2018, against leg-spinners isn’t great. Thus, Chahal is a good match-up against Samson.

(The same is the case with Jos Buttler against Chahal. However, RCB shouldn’t use him in the powerplay. Also, Chahal would want to put on a better show on good batting tracks.)

IPL 2021: RCB vs RR Game Plan 1 – Big batting guns look to fire in Mumbai

Samson, Buttler and Miller vs leg-spinners in the IPL since 2018

RCB, with the help of Saini and Siraj, might also attack Samson with well-directed bouncers. Siraj has a sharp bouncer and Saini can hurry Samson. However, the field setting, along with bowling plans, need to be well thought, because of short boundaries.

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