In both recent games, the batting side of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) team struggled significantly. Their performance was far from satisfactory, with only one standout innings saving them from a major collapse. Against the formidable Mumbai Indians (MI), RR managed to achieve a total of over 200 runs, but the credit for this accomplishment primarily belonged to the young and promising Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a brilliant 124 off just 62 deliveries.
The rest of the RR batting lineup faltered, failing to make substantial contributions to the team’s total. The second-highest score in that match was a mere 18 runs off 19 balls by Jos Buttler. Buttler, along with three other RR players, was among the few who managed to surpass single-digit scores. It was evident that RR heavily relied on Jaiswal’s exceptional performance, and aside from him, no player was able to score more than 15 runs.
The subsequent game further exposed RR’s batting troubles. Right from the start, their difficulties were apparent when Jaiswal was unfortunately run out. Captain Sanju Samson played a significant role in his dismIissal, as he hit the first ball of the sixth over towards backward point. However, Abhinav Manohar, fielding at that position, displayed exceptional athleticism by making a spectacular diving save. He quickly gathered the ball and swiftly threw it to Mohit Sharma at short third man.
Samson, on the other hand, made a critical error in judgment. After taking three strides forward, he inexplicably stopped and watched the fielders in action, seemingly unaware of Jaiswal’s intentions to steal a run. Jaiswal, recognizing an opportunity, sprinted down the pitch, but unfortunately fell victim to Samson’s hesitation and was run out.
This incident highlighted a lack of coordination and communication within the RR team, as well as a lapse in Samson’s situational awareness. The run-out was a prime example of how such small lapses in concentration and decision-making can have significant consequences in a fast-paced game like cricket.
Overall, RR’s batting struggles have been apparent in their recent matches. While they were fortunate to achieve a formidable total against MI, courtesy of Jaiswal’s exceptional century, the lack of substantial contributions from other batsmen raises concerns for the team. The over-reliance on a single player and the failure of others to step up and support the team’s cause is a pressing issue that RR needs to address promptly.
Furthermore, the run-out incident involving Jaiswal and Samson serves as a wake-up call for the team. It emphasizes the need for better communication, coordination, and awareness on the field. RR’s batting lineup must find a way to collectively contribute and perform consistently to ensure their success in future matches.