Guwahati:Rajasthan Royals are determined to get back on the winning track as they prepare to take on Kolkata Knight Riders, who currently sit atop the points table in the IPL, this Sunday. Rajasthan, having suffered four consecutive losses, are focused on overcoming Kolkata to secure the second spot in the standings. Despite having qualified for the playoffs with 16 points, Rajasthan's recent performance has been lackluster, failing to surpass the 150-run mark in their last two matches.
With Jos Buttler no longer in the lineup, batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal, captain Sanju Samson, and Ryan Parag will need to step up. Meanwhile, Kolkata leads the points table with 19 points. Kolkata's previous match against Gujarat was called off due to rain, earning them a point. They have had a week of rest since their last game against Mumbai Indians on 11 May.
Kolkata will be missing opener Phil Salt, who has also returned home along with Buttler. The absence of Salt, who along with Sunil Narine has scored 897 runs for Kolkata this season, will be felt. Rahmanullah Gurbaz might be given the opportunity to replace him, as he has yet to make an appearance this season. The team will look to Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell in the middle order. Rain interruptions are also expected during the match.
