If cricket fans all over the world are waiting to enjoy another unpredictable fight, having a look at their wrist watch and getting ready in front of a screen, it might be for today’s meet. With Rajasthan Royals’ consecutive 200+ score, both going in winning causes, one may go wrong with the thought that for Royals it’ll be easier against Kolkata Knight Riders. But I never think so. If it was possible to chase 222, Tewatia’s slow start in the middle made it improbable, forcing the commentators in the com box to cry down the decision of sending him up the order. But strategic time-out, taken early, after 13th over, set the tone for the next 7 overs. A rejuvenated Tewatia turned the table and with fiery cracking of Jofra, scored almost in only boundaries to drive RR home. For KKR, it was a sheer brainwork against SRH and thus they bounced back in the tournament.

KKR know best that Rajasthan are unbeaten in the contest and also calculate that they come to Dubai after playing at a comparatively short ground. With strategic second plan they must try to curb their desperate advances either at top or in the middle. Smith being an experienced captain knows well that KKR are to be reined at the very start of their batting. At top KKR have none to move fast, if Sunil Narine is not taken into account.

No power in the powerplay is a huge problem for KKR. They need someone who can read the ball and make it sail over the in-field. If Subhman Gill sticks to wicket, one must go after Archer and company. Fans expecting something from Kartik, either a quickfire 30 or a stable innings. Morgan has the ability to stay on wicket for long, thereby taking the game away from the opposition. Russell might be watching matches played in the last two or three days and planning to swing his bat eagerly. In lower order Pat Cummins can bat a little.

I have nothing to add to Royals’ batting unit, as it is an examined phenomenon. But this time they only have to avoid the marginal error. While lifting the ball towards the longer side of the park, they must get enough elevation. Buttler is an excellent technician who can leave anyone stunned. The middle order is okay with Uthappa, Gopal and Tom Curran. Archer down the order can make up any loss in the middle.

If Rajasthan have something to concentrate on is their bowling. They have a good bowling unit. They have Steven Smith as their captain. So a discussion in the camp may deliver things right. They can pick someone from the reserve bench also. Today Archer may take the new ball. They twice bowled at a short ground. At Dubai, they will get something to cherish, if not everything. Against Kolkata, the spinners have to bowl very well.

If we have a quick look into KKR’s bowling department, Sunil Narine is an experienced turner, Cummins a champion fast bowler and Russell a master to mix bouncer and Yorker. Kuldeep, Mavi, Nagarkotti and Chakravarty kept it tight against SRH. In the last game, what KKR did was not to let it loose. Today they have to be more determined, as there are relentless architects at RR’s top order.

In RCB vs MI match, we witnessed heavy dew in the second half. So captains must field on winning toss, if they can ignore the recent statistics…team that batted first won the game. With one side longer, it is bigger than Sharjah and less slow than Abu Dhabi.