JAIPUR: That Rajasthan Royals are currently third on the points table is largely because of their bowling unit doing the heavy lifting. With the batting heavily dependent on the top three and the middle order appearing to be fragile, the bowlers have consistently stepped up.The ability to defend totals has played a big role in Royals’ campaign, which now moves to their primary home in Jaipur. It is here that the bowling unit will now face a major challenge against the firepower of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting might at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday.The Royals will also be looking for redemption. In their previous meeting, SRH handed them a heavy 57-run defeat. The Royals bowling will be feeling the heat in hot conditions here if SRH’s explosive top order of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head and Ishan Kishan get going. In a major boost to SRH’s chances, Pat Cummins will return to the playing XI and resume captaincy.At the heart of Royals’ dominance this season is the new-ball pair of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger. Archer, with 68 wickets, is now Rajasthan Royals’ all-time leading wicket-taker. Arguably the most lethal opening duo in the league, they have blended high pace with skills to move the ball around. Archer is cranking up speeds to 151 kmph with late swing that leaves the best of openers searching for answers.He was a sight to see in the recent game against Lucknow Super Giants, where he intimidated the batters with his pace, clocking 15 balls above the 145 kmph mark in his four overs. From the other end, left-arm pacer Burger’s prodigious seam movement has not allowed rival batters to break free. The duo’s impact was visible against LSG as Royals defended a sub-par 159.Seamers Brijesh Sharma and Tushar Deshpande have also offered steady support to the lead pacers. Ravi Bishnoi’s inclusion has added versatility to the Royals attack. Bishnoi seems to have rediscovered his mojo after being released by LSG following a poor season last year. His skiddy and rapid googlies have become a significant challenge for batters.
