IPL: Decoding Suresh Raina's performance against Rajasthan Royals
Suresh Raina has come back stronger in the IPL 2021 after missing the last season. He scored a brilliant 54 (36) against Delhi Capitals in the opening game. He was also timing the ball well against Punjab Kings although the bouncers jeopardized him. Raina would eye a similar performance as CSK are set to take on Rajasthan Royals. We analyze his performance against RR.
Raina is the second-highest run-scorer in the cash-rich league presently. He has aggregated 5,430 runs from 195 matches at an impressive average of 33.31. He carries of strike-rate of 137.15 with the bat, and also owns a ton. Against RR, he has amassed 609 runs from 21 games at a strike-rate of 135.94. The phenomenal tally also includes 15 sixes and 64 fours.
Raina (609) is the second-highest run-scorer against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL after AB de Villiers (648). He also has second-most half-centuries (6) against them after the former (8). Raina has a career-best score of 98 against RR.
Over the years, Raina has smashed plenty of runs at number three in the IPL. However, he has been given a new role this season. In the two matches so far, Raina has batted at number four, with Moeen Ali getting a promotion. This is the phase where Chris Morris could perturb him with bouncers. Notably, Morris has dismissed Raina thrice in the IPL.
Raina usually fares well at Wankhede. He owns most runs (480) for Chennai Super Kings at this venue in Mumbai. Although he hasn't played play a single game against RR since 2019, his previous few innings were fruitful. His last four scores against them read as 4 (run-out), 36, 52, and 46. He would want to go big in the impending game.
