Shaken Royals take on stable Sunrisers in knockout clash

Ahead of the Eliminator, the Jaipur team stayed put in its home base, practicing in the morning session. They are comfortable there and know the place, said an official. Khurram Habib reports. Face off

In the only match that they played since being embroiled in the spot-fixing scandal, Rajasthan Royals were thrashed by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Ahead of the Eliminator, the Jaipur team stayed put in its home base, practicing in the morning session — “They are comfortable there and know the place and facilities very well,” said an official — and reaching Delhi only by night.

While the Royals have managed to keep themselves away from the glare, the scandal seems to have caused some flutter in the ranks of their opponents. Out in full strength at the Capital’s Modern School grounds at Barakhamba Road, the Sunrisers, including team mentor Kris Srikkanth, beat a hasty retreat the moment the topic of spot-fixing cropped up.

Their bowlers are adept at defending low totals. That, and the fact that opener Shikhar Dhawan is playing at home, bodes well for the Sunrisers.

Come Wednesday, it will be a battle of mind. A stable team against a shaken one.