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It’s down to simple mathematics for Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, who will lock horns at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. Hosts DC have to win their remaining two matches by big margins and wait for a few others to lose. For visitors RR, it’s somewhat easier — win two of their remaining three games and they are through to the Playoffs.
For RR’s Director of Cricket and head coach Kumar Sangakkara, there were questions galore on teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and skipper Riyan Parag.
On skipper Riyan Parag, Sangakkara said, “Riyan has three roles. Captain, leader and batter and every single time, he’s got to separate the three out a little bit. Captaincy and leadership go a little bit more hand-in-hand, whereas with batting, he just has to enjoy and bat as Riyan Parag the batter.” Sangakkara added that Parag’s captaincy this season “has been excellent.”
Ian Bell
On Sooryavanshi, Sangakkara said the youngster will have good days and not so good ones given his exceptional ability. “Vaibhav is a supremely talented batter. He’s very young. The key for Vaibhav is to enjoy every moment. He’ll have good days, he’ll have not so good days. It’s absolutely fine. The worst thing we can do is clutter his mind,” Sangakkara said.
DC batting coach Ian Bell also lavished praise on Sooryavanshi, while admitting that his wicket will be very crucial. “I don’t want to give too much away. He’s a fantastic young player, isn’t he? The talent is absolutely scary and we want to get him out early, there’s no doubt,” Bell remarked.
After their last home game today, DC will go to Kolkata for their final league stage match. Bell said they will not be trying out their bench strength in the must-win matches. “We have to accept, and it has been a crazy season for that. The fact that we scored 265 here, and then followed that up by getting bowled out for 70. You can’t win competitions if you’re that inconsistent and we have to accept that reality,” Bell said.
Four
No of runs scored by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi when the two teams last met on May 1
16-15
DC’s win-loss record against RR across 31 matches
40
No of sixes hit by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — the most in the ongoing IPL
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