Adda Notes: Beleagured Rajasthan seek salvation against Kolkata in Mumbai

Rajasthan, languishing at the bottom of the Indian T20 League 2021 points table, eye a change in fortunes as they take on Kolkata at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, April 24.

When it comes to the recent form guide, both Rajasthan and Kolkata have grown cold feet as they are on losing streaks respectively. Rajasthan, in particular, will be under immense pressure considering none of their players have been consistent in their last two games.

Kolkata, meanwhile, have to solve their middle-order conundrum as they failed to stand up to the pressure from opposition bowlers in their games against Bangalore and Chennai. The likes of Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, and skipper Eoin Morgan himself have a lot of homework to do if they are to end the side's ongoing three-game winless run.

On the flip side, Kolkata enjoys a comfortable lead in the Rajasthan vs Hyderabad head-to-head record with 12 wins in 22 matches. Additionally, the two-time winners have won four of their last five clashes against Sanju Samson and Co.

The latest Rajasthan vs Kolkata tie will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where chasing has reaped successful results in the ongoing edition of India's T20 showpiece event. In 12 games at this iconic venue, Rajasthan have registered five wins as opposed to Kolkata's one win in 10 trips.

Dinesh Karthik has also endured a wobbling start to the season, despite being one of the prominent players expected to explode with the bat in Kolkata's middle-order. The wicketkeeper-batsman has tallied 519 in 25 matches against Rajasthan and is best known for his unbeaten 97 in the 2019 edition, albeit it being in a losing cause.

There is immense pressure on skipper Sanju Samson to stack up runs for Rajasthan, given he has flattened out after a dynamic inning of 119 in his side's first game of the season. The 26-year-old is Rajasthan's most prolific batter against Kolkata - 334 runs at a strike rate of 123.7 - and is tipped to regain his batting instincts on a ground where he has aggregated 356 runs in nine matches.

For Rajasthan, Chris Morris will be the go-to bowler to spell trouble for Kolkata's batters. The South African pacer has bagged 15 wickets against Eoin Morgan and Co. The most expensive overseas player in the Indian T20 League has scalped just five wickets this term, thus putting more pressure on his shoulders to lead his side to record just their second win in six meetings with Kolkata.

Shakib Al Hasan has bagged 12 wickets in nine games against Rajasthan, making him the best bowler from the Kolkata camp to take the field. The Bangladesh all-rounder has taken just two wickets so far and is poised to unsettle the Rajasthan middle-order with his googlies during the middle overs.

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Featured photo: AFP / DIBYANGSHU SARKAR