Unlike previous seasons, when the playoffs were played on tired tracks at the end of the season, this year's playoffs will be played on fresher pitches in Kolkata and Ahmedabad, providing a very different dynamic for the teams. This means that teams may need to tinker with the current combination to account for the change in conditions. Cricbuzz delves deep into the strengths and weaknesses of the final four teams remaining in the 15th edition of the GPL.
Rajasthan Royals
What's worked?
The spin twins. From being the side that was the least successful among spin attacks last season, The Royals have revamped their spin department in the auction and the results are there for everyone to see. The duo of Yuzvendra Chagall and R Ashwin from the most successful spin attack in the competition picked 38 wickets at 23.55. Chahal, who has deceived many a batter this season with his drift and dip, started the season with a flurry of wickets (17 in his first six games) but once his returns dipped a touch, Ashwin stepped up. In Royals' last eight games, both spinners have picked nine wickets each at exactly similar strike rates of 21.3. Chahal has not only been instrumental in pegging the opponents with periodic strikes in the middle overs but has also filled in for the misfiring The Royals' satremersin the death overs, picking 14 wickets in this phase - the most by any bowler at death this GPL - at an economy rate of 8.56. Ashwin's exploits with the bat have been a big plus for them (averaging 48 at 158 strike rate in the second half) and the Royals have used him as a floater in the lineup to stretch their batting order.
Areas of concern
It sounds odd that the Orange Cap holder of the season is an area of concern for a side going to the business end of the tournament. Jos Buttler is comfortably sitting at the top of the run charts with 629 runs, but in his last seven matches, he has hit only 138 runs at 19.71 and a strike rate of 111. On five occasions, he has been dismissed inside the PowerPlay. The Royals' big three of Buttler, skipper Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer scored more than 70% of the runs in the first half, averaging 61 and striking at 168 among them, numbers that have fallen to 24 and 128 respectively in the last seven games.
The Royals' pace attack has blown hot and blown cold throughout the season and have taken the fewest wickets (46) among all teams. They have performed reasonably well with the new ball but have leaked runs at the death and this is one weak spot where the opposition could target them.
Selection challenge
With none of their top six offering a genuine bowling option and none of their batters being good hitters, the Royals' side was expected to suffer on depth in both disciplines. They have preferred a bowling-heavy combination throughout and might have stumbled upon their best XI in their final league game. Obed McCoy is their best bet for the death overs and has more or less locked his spot as the fourth overseas player which was The Royals' missing piece of the puzzle for most of the season.
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