Follow UsWhile Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) seem to have settled down in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, it has been a start-stop season for Rajasthan Royals (RR), who are yet to get their combination right.
Navdeep Saini has been a weak link for RR, having conceded 72 runs from his six overs so far. Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Russel Arnold it is perhaps time RR look into the possibility of getting James Neesham into the XI in place of Saini. RR had gone in with just three overseas players in their previous game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
“Jimmy Neesham can hit the bat hard as well, so he gives you that option. The Royals in the last game played with just three overseas players. So, don't have to leave out Buttler, Boult or Hetmyer. I would continue with Prasidh Krishna,” Arnold said on Cricket.com.
“Navdeep Saini seems to be the option for them to make a change. They do have the six bowling options with Saini there. So, you get a get a couple of overs from Neesham will solve their problem and give them a better balance. He’s a good finisher too.”
Jos Buttler has been in top form this season, having scored 35, 100 and 70* in the three innings so far. He has batted well in the powerplay and batted quite deep in the middle overs as well. Arnold reckons knocking Buttler over early will be key as it could put pressure on the other batters.
“He's the X-factor. Having him at the top of the order works as he scores quickly. As long as he is out in the middle, the bowlers are under pressure,” Arnold said.
“The opposition will be thinking all the time because this guy can turn it around at any stage. He could be asleep for the first 15 overs and still put his team in a strong position in the last five.
“Something about him is that he plays some weird shots. But he spends a lot of time practicing it. That's why he is so good at it. The confidence to play those shots...he's successful. A lot of new players come in and try new things.
“When you have practiced, your muscle memory, your thoughts are all in place and that's why he gets this consistency too. “
Arnold further adds that the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dedutt Padikkal need to get among the runs to relieve some pressure on Buttler.
“For this team to get those wins they really need, I reckon Jaiswal, Padikkal need to score big as well. Take the pressure off Jos Buttler,” Arnold explains.
“That way he'll be able to enjoy more, score a few the more runs to be able to bat oppositions out. With the dew around, the 160s and 180s are difficult to defend because your bowlers will be restricted.
“So, you have got to give them that cushion to defend and get you that win. One man cannot do it alone. But I believe Jos Buttler is playing it perfectly at the moment being the all-rounder.”
Quinton de Kock has struggled against both Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal in the T20 format. While Ashwin has dismissed the southpaw on four occasions in nine innings, Chahal has got the better of de Kock five times in seven innings.
Arnold believes it is important to go for wickets regardless of the stage of the match and wickets of de Kock or KL Rahul for that matter would certainly help.
“Looking at the bowling line-up, they could afford to use different bowlers much earlier in the powerplay,” Arnold said.
“Ashwin is good with the new ball. It's about trying to pick up wickets to stop the opposition. In this tournament, there's no strangling the opposition.
“You have to get them out, if not even a No. 7 or 8 has the belief, has the power. You don't write anyone off. Even if you're 7-8 down, you have to pick up wickets to stay in the game.
“Hence, knocking over the likes of de Kock or KL Rahul early will help. You can rotate the bowlers and use them in the powerplay. You need to think with an attacking frame of mind.”