RR have task cut out against CSK

Sharjah, Sept. 21: A depleted Rajasthan Royals have an onerous task of stopping the mighty Chennai Super Kings on a Sharjah belter with no Ben Stokes in their line-up but skipper Steve Smith's availability after recovering from a concussion injury has lifted some gloom ahead of their IPL match on Tuesday.

The absence of Stokes would severely impact Royals’ campaign at least in the first half of the tournament because of the balance he brings to the side but having Smith in the playing XI would mean that the contest will not be without a fight.

Smith, who missed the ODI series against England, has undergone various concussion test protocols and is ready to tee off. He was hit on the head during a net session prior to the first ODI in Manchester.

“Been in Dubai for a couple of days now with some good rest and then got into a bit of running. Yesterday, I did a bit of zigzag running, which is part of the protocols to pass to get back to play,” Smith was quoted as saying in a press statement, issued by the franchise.

“And today I will have a hit in the nets. Hopefully, pull up well from the hit and be good to play tomorrow,” the Australian said.

Coach Andrew McDonald also expressed his happiness at skipper’s availability.

“Fantastic

● The absence of Stokes would severely impact Royals’ campaign at least in the first half of the tournament because of the balance he brings to the side but having Smith in the playing XI would mean that the contest will not be without a fight.

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Steve is available. It’s fantastic especially on the back of some setbacks back in the UK. It’s obviously great to have your skipper available for the first game as I’ve said before we are in really good hands,” he said.

Stokes’ father’s illness has kept him out of action for some time now and his absence, certainly in the first half of the league, would disturb the balance of the Royals, perennial under-performers.

Apart from premier allrounder Stokes, also absent from the first match will be Jos Buttler, their impact player at the toporder. The England batsman will be missing the first game as he arrived separately with his family and need to undergo mandatory 36-hour quarantine in Dubai.

Last edition's runner-up, CSK exacted revenge on defending champions Mumbai Indians, beating them by five wickets in the tournament opener.