Former Australia opening batsman Matthew Hayden has picked his 2 players that are going to be under the spotlight in tonight’s IPL league stage match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Hayden picked Rajasthan’s English opening batsman Jos Buttler and RCB’s frontline Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj as the two players, who haven’t had the best of starts to IPL 2024, as the ones to watch out for.
While RR have the chance to go on top of the points table and stretch their winning run to 4 games, RCB will be aiming to win the match to get back on winning ways after suffering back-to-back defeats against KKR and LSG at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium.
The Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur will host tonight’s match number 19 of IPL 2024. Other than the shakeups in the points table, two Orange Cap contenders – Virat Kohli and Riyan Parag will also have a battle to watch out for. Parag had taken the top spot of the scoring charts with his fifty against Mumbai Indians 5 days ago before Kohli regained the position with his 20+ score against LSG. But the main spotlight, according to 2-time IPL winner Matthew Hayden, is going to be on Jos Buttler and Mohammed Siraj.
Both of them have experienced a turbulent season so far but it has been a bit better for Jos Buttler, given the fact that his side is only the 2nd team other than KKR in IPL 2024 to have a 100% win record. As for Mohammed Siraj, his poor performances have directly impacted RCB’s results and also his teammates, other than Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, and Mahipal Lomror to some extent, are all out of form. For the visitors, the performances of Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell will also be the ones to watch out for.
Matthew Hayden says Jos Buttler needs to start bossing for Rajasthan Royals
While speaking to Star Sports, Matthew Hayden first shed light on Jos Buttler as the one who will be under the spotlight. Hayden stated that he wants to see Buttler start bossing for the Royals and highlighted his 10.7 average and the 35 runs he has scored against LSG, DC, and MI. Hayden also said that Yashasvi Jaiswal needs to fire in the top order as well with Buttler and if they do, then Rajasthan will continue with their winning ways.
“My spotlight is going to be on two players. Rajasthan firstly. When is Jos going to start bossing. He’s averaging 10.7 with 35 runs, he needs to get there as well as Jaiswal if Rajasthan Royals gotta continue with their winning ways. So lots going right for the Rajasthan Royals,” Hayden said via Star Sports.
Haydos says Mohammed Siraj needs to pick wickets and claims it is trouble for RCB
Matthew Hayden then spoke about his second pick – Mohammed Siraj, whose economy rate has peaked over 10 and has just 3 wickets to his name – 2 against Punjab Kings and 1 against Lucknow Super Giants. That’s what Hayden highlighted as well and also claimed that it’s a good chance for Rajasthan to keep up their 100% win record and advised RCB to make changes and get to winning ways otherwise there will be a lot of trouble for them.
“Nothing going right for the RCB. Now my spotlight on RCB is (Mohammed) Siraj. His economy is well over 10 and for mine, there’s not enough wickets in the coloumn as well, just 3, so he’s taken 1 wicket per game. So big chance for Rajasthan Royals to continue their winning ways and RCB have to get back on that course, otherwise it’s trouble,” Hayden concluded.
. @HaydosTweets has put the spotlight on @JosButtler and @MdSirajOfficial, as @RCBTweets face a challenge of Royal proportions in @rajasthanroyals! 🤩
Hayden believes that both of these players should soon get back to form, for the best of their team 🔝
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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 6, 2024