Rajasthan look to erase Kotla choke

Match facts

May 1, 2012, Jaipur
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)

Big Picture

Rajasthan Royals will still be wondering how they botched the chase against Delhi Daredevils two days back. With 15 needed off 12 balls, with nine wickets in hand, you would back yourself for a comfortable chase. Yet, what ensued reiterated the theory that all it takes is one good over to tilt the scales in Twenty20s. Leave too much to the end, and the joke's on you. Royals have a chance to set things right against the same opponent, in their Jaipur fortress. They will be boosted by the arrival from the West Indies of the Australian Shane Watson, who will have to conquer jet-lag first, and Morne Morkel next. If Watson does play straightaway, the question is who will make way - either Brad Hodge or Owais Shah. Three consecutive defeats will be at the back of their minds when they take on the in-form Daredevils.

With 14 points, Daredevils are still on top. Should they lose, they will remain in that position. Luck's going their way and their season has been a marked improvement from last year. This will be Kevin Pietersen's last game before he flies back home and his presence as an impact player will be missed. A big plus for Daredevils is the contribution of two low-profile Indian players - Shahbaz Nadeem and Yogesh Nagar. Nagar was the unsung hero of the previous game, making the most of the final over to give the score some respectability.

Form guide

(most recent first)

Delhi Daredevils: WWWLW
Rajasthan Royals: LLLWW

Players to watch

Though Morkel's tight penultimate over in the chase hogged the attention, Umesh Yadav's effort in the final over cannot be ignored. Though he had 12 to defend, he was parsimonious in his first three deliveries, giving away only two runs. A freak six by Ajinkya Rahane nearly overshadowed his efforts, but Yadav held his nerve for the final ball, beating the well-set Rahane for pace.

Royals' Amit Singh picked up two wickets, but was the most expensive bowler at the Kotla, giving 41 runs. Twenty of those came off his final over, the last of the innings, which made the difference in the final analysis. If Siddharth Trivedi returns, Amit Singh's place could be in trouble.

Stats and trivia

• Royals and Daredevils have played each other twice at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Royals won both games.

Quotes

"We probably bowled the best of any teams against Delhi, who have such a formidable batting line-up."
Rahul Dravid finds positives in defeat

"Great spirit shown by the team. Brilliant stuff from Morne. Must have been heartbreaking for Ajinkya though."
Virender Sehwag tweets after Daredevils' surprise win