 Rajasthan Royals take on beleaguered Bangalore Royal Challengers
16th May 2008 23:01 IST
Agencies
Rajasthan Royals will have to come out fast from the aftershock of the serial blasts in Jaipur and concentrate on the Indian Premier League game on Saturday against a beleaguered Bangalore Royal Challengers at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Home team captain Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Graeme Smith and coaching director Darren Berry were reportedly terrified by the blasts on Tuesday that killed over 60 people and were reluctant to return to the Pink City for Saturday’s match.
However, after IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi assured that adequate security would be provided to the players, Warne and his boys are returning from their vacation in Goa to take on Rahul Dravid-led team.
Rajasthan Royals CEO Fraser Castellino said the team was on its way to Jaipur while lesser known faces like Parag More are camping here to meet any exigency.
But for the blasts, the break should have done a world of good for the hosts who had a gruelling schedule last week, with three matches in six days.
The hosts are sitting pretty at the top with 14 points and one more win will ensure them a place in the semifinals.
Considering Royal Challengers' track record – four points after seven defeats and two wins -- the home team's task does not look very tough tomorrow, provided they switched on fast to the cricket mode leaving behind the thoughts of the blasts.
Moreover, the Rajasthan Royals will also carry the confidence that they have beaten the same opponents at their own backyard when Watson's 61-run knock had steered them to a seven-wicket victory. Since then, the Royals have grown in confidence and the aura of invincibility in their own fortress has been more than impressive.
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