Image Credit- BCCI
Rishabh Pant has
been all over sports pages, web pages, and front pages this past week as his
recovery from a potentially fatal accident has been thoroughly examined.
For the first time in a week, though, Pant appeared content to be the focus of
attention as he participated in the team’s Holi celebrations and led some of
the younger batters for the Capitals during their net sessions.
Watching Pant and
Jake Fraser-McGurk square off in a range-hitting match was more thrilling. The
two, who were batting in adjacent nets, frequently sent the ball to the distant
corners of the academy ground owned by the Rajasthan Cricket Association, causing
the organisers to block off a pedestrian area where the balls landed.
The team appeared to be more interested in seeing how Australia’s teenage
wonder, Fraser-McGurk, could compete with Pant. Simultaneously, there was no
greater indication of Pant’s progress since his declaration of fitness.
The Royals, who
haven’t had much luck at Sawai Mansingh Stadium lately, were at the opposite
end of the training area. The Royals won just one of their five home games at
the stadium, which was formerly thought to be a stronghold for them, last
season. And for the Capitals, there is an opportunity there.
The Royals have a strong batting core, but Jos Buttler needs to get back into
the scoring zone soon. He had a terrible season the previous year and got off
to a nine-ball 11 against the Lucknow Super Giants in the first game of this
one. Nevertheless, both Sanju Samson, who has a reputation of dominating early
on before faltering, and Riyan Parag, the Royals’ new No. 4, looked comfortable
in the opening contest.
The middle order of
the Capitals will be scrutinised once more after failing to consolidate on
their early lead against the Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. They will undoubtedly
have their work cut out for them when facing a gun Royals assault.
Both teams have explosive batting talent, so it should be entertaining to
watch. On the scant data we have so far, however, Royals appear to be the more
formidable of the two.