Struggling RR faces uphill task against a marauding GT

Struggling RR faces uphill task against a marauding GT

Even the most loyal of Rajasthan Royals’ fans would concede the show hasn’t been quite royal this season by the franchise. Gujarat Titans, though, has lived up to its name.

Shubman Gill’s men have won six of their eight games. Sanju Samson’s – or rather Riyan Parag’s – men have lost seven of their nine.

And if a Royals supporter wanted some relief from history, more disappointment would be in store: in their seven meetings, Titans won six and Royals just one. The last of those matches was played earlier this month at Ahmedabad, where the host cruised to a 58-run victory.

The odds are indeed stacked heavily against RR in its return leg against GT at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Monday. With Samson still recovering from his side strain, things hardly look bright for the home team.

It is not just the poor results that should worry the Royals team management. Royals managed to mess up some winning positions. No team would want to play – and then lose - a Super Over when nine runs were required to win from the final over with seven wickets in hand.

The Titans, on the other hand, haven’t had much trouble. Captain Gill, B. Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler are making runs at will, while Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and R. Sai Kishore are taking wickets for fun.

The Royals fans too would want to have some fun. For that, the host needs better contributions from the eleven, not just Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jofra Archer or Wanindu Hasaranga.