Royals aim to bounce back against in-form Tuskers

If the last decade in cricket was dedicated to the debate over who is the rightful successor the legacy of Don Bradman — Sachin Tendulkar or Brian Lara — there was one more that raised many a storm. Who's the greatest tweaker — Shane Warne or Muttiah Muralitharan? While one still has the ‘Ball of The Century’ to his name, the latter's record of 800 Test scalps may just never be broken. The debate, however, may once again be ignited on Sunday as Rajasthan Royals take on Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

HIGH VS LOW

 
If Mahela Jayawardene's team is enjoying their giant-killing spree, it's been the opposite for the Royals. Losing their last three matches, Warne's boys are suddenly looking a pale shadow of themselves. “Yes, we have been disappointing,” said Ross Taylor. 

“But we’re going to bounce back.” Jacob Oram is back from injury. Though Johan Botha, the Royals' brightest spot in the batting line-up so far, has a fracture in the finger, he was seen batting in the nets. Also, Warne may just revert back to the Rahul Dravid-Watson opening combination.

S Sreesanth has been advised by one and all to 'go slow' with his temperament. And the maverick paceman seems to have taken it all too seriously. On the eve of Kochi's game against the Royals, all Sree was seen doing was bowling some slow off and leg-cutters from a short run-up.

The bowler has gone for 49 runs for one wicket in the six over that he bowled in Kochi's first two losses. He hasn't found a place since the team got back to winning ways.

INTERESTING DUELS

 
Ravindra Jadeja will be back playing in Jaipur, only this time against his former IPL side. The former Rajasthan Royals player is now a part of the Kochi outfit. 

While him taking on ex-mentor Warnie will be interesting to watch, Oram and Taylor, facing a bevy of Lankans may just spark some fire. It wasn't long ago that Jayawardene and Co ousted the Kiwis from the World Cup.