Picture Credit: Twitter
Former Rajasthan Royals cricketer Rajat Bhatia wasn't pleased with the way the middle order of his former Indian Premier League side played during the ongoing match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Dubai International Stadium. While the Rajasthan openers had given them a fantastic start, one that perhaps helped them set their eyes on the unachieved 200-run mark in the UAE leg of the competition, the middle order's failure to stitch partnership saw them manage just 149.
Speaking to SportsTiger, Bhatia said that there is no professionalism in Rajasthan Royals' middle order and they do not know how to play a mature knock. He added that once Sanju Samson got out, the team completely disintegrated. His remark should be viewed in the context of what happened in the latter half of the Rajasthan innings.
91/1 in first 10 overs- 58/8 in last 10
While the Men in Pink had scored 91/1 in the first 10, the other half saw them add just 58 runs and lose 8 wickets, including 3 runs for 3 wickets in the last over alone.
While a win here for Rajasthan can help them join Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians with 10 points from 11 matches, a defeat would put them in line with Punjab Kings who also have 8 points from 11 games. However, a victory would set it up nicely for the Bangalore side since they will head to 14 points from 11 games and will be 3 more matches to look for the magical number of 16.
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RCB currently third in the points tally
Notably, Kohli has already announced that he would be stepping down as the leader of the side at the end of this season and he would be determined to end his captaincy stint of the only franchise he has ever been a part of, with at least a title win.
Bangalore are currently third in the points table behind Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals who both have 16 points from 10 and 11 matches respectively and are more or less guaranteed of a place in the Playoffs. While Chennai are unbeaten in the UAE leg of IPL 2021, Delhi lost just one game against Kolkata who are currently positioned fifth with 10 points.