GUWAHATI: Rajasthan Royals have only two connections with Guwahati. One is their collaboration with Assam Cricket Association (ACA) in setting up their cricket academy five years ago at Barsapara Cricket Stadium here and the other is Riyan Parag - the only Assamese player plying his trade in the IPL.
However, both were not enough to ensure houseful stands in their first 'home' match against Punjab Kings.
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Losing the first-ever IPL match in northeast India and Riyan not living up to the expectations of the home crowd didn't help Royals' cause either - on or off the field.
So, as Delhi Capitals come calling for Royals' second and last 'home' match in Guwahati on Saturday, the hosts have their task cut out against the struggling visitors in an afternoon match. This will be their last chance this season to entertain local spectators and expand their fan base.
Going down by just five runs against Punjab Kings might imply the match was evenly fought, but Royals were never in control of the chase except during the late charge by young Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer.
Captain Sanju Samson did play a holding role for some time but could not see them through. And to make matters worse, Jos Buttler is a doubtful starter after injuring his left hand little finger in the previous match. He needed a few stitches for the wound and the area is still bandaged.
DC, having lost both their matches so far, will take heart from the fact that their opponents don't have an express bowler in their ranks. Captain David Warner has had a decent start personally but has failed to provide that blitzkrieg opening the team needs.
1/10:IPL 2023: Delhi Capitals aim for improved batting show against Rajasthan Royals
2/10:Breathing space for DC batters
<p>Battered and bruised by raw pace in back-to-back matches, Delhi Capitals' batting unit is likely to find some breathing space on a featherbed when the side takes on Rajasthan Royals in an afternoon IPL match in Guwahati on Saturday.<br /><br /><br /></p>PTI
3/10:Tough time for Prithvi and Sarfaraz
<p>Mark Wood and Alzarri Joseph have scarred the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan in DC's line-up in the first two games.<br /><br /><br /></p>
4/10:Boult-Holder to lead RR attack
<p>And when these talented but low on confidence willow wielders face an attack comprising Trent Boult, KM Asif and Jason Holder, they would have to negotiate speed in mid 130 kmph, which is right up their alley.<br /><br /><br /></p>
5/10:DC batters to negotiate Ashwin-Chahal too
<p>However, the guile and artistry of Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal on a hot late afternoon and early evening in Guwahati won't be a pleasant proposition either.<br /></p>
6/10:Buttler likely to miss DC tie
<p>Another aspect that might give some relief to DC could be the absence of dangerous Jos Buttler, who has got stitches on the little finger of his left hand after sustaining a bruise while taking a catch in the last game.<br /></p>AFP
7/10:Root may replace Buttler
<p>The bruised area with stitches is likely to remain sore and soft and it will be difficult to field even though batting with extra padding inside the gloves remain an option. In case Buttler is unable to play, Joe Root could be an option.<br /></p>
8/10:Is poor bench-strength DC's main drawback?
<p>There hasn't been too many silver-linings for DC in the two defeats so far and the main drawback of the team is poor bench-strength in terms of Indian talent, which doesn't inspire confidence.<br /><br /><br /></p>ANI
9/10:DC coaching staff in a fix
<p>Even if the coaching staff wants to try other options in place of Sarfaraz, DC, in its Indian batting roster only has Yash Dhull, Ripal Patel and Lalit Yadav to fall back upon and none of them are players who would perhaps score at a strike-rate of 150.<br /></p>IANS
10/10:Royals rely on Jaiswal and Samson
<p>For Rajasthan Royals, Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Sanju Samson have been in good nick in the first two games and would hope to pose a challenge for the likes of Anrich Nortje, Khaleel Ahmed and Kuldeep Yadav.<br /></p>Capitals will be missing Aussie allrounder Mitchell March for the next week as he has gone back home to get married.
