Jos-less RR in spot of bother

IT'S a do-or-die clash for them and they want to be at full strength to negotiate any challenges.

-  FIROZ MIRZA

Unfortunately, they cannot. Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are bound to miss their top English batters, especially knowing a loss on Wednesday can end their campaign in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

Not that the third team in the playoffs - Kolkata Knight Riders - will not miss the services of its opener Phil Salt. The explosive opener was pivotal in providing explosive starts to the team almost every time this season with West Indian Sunil Narine to his company. They, however, can have yet another go at a place in the final even if they lose Qualifier 1 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, who fortunately don't have an English player in their ranks.

Among the two teams slated to feature in the Eliminator on Wednesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Rajasthan will be hit the most.

Their opener, Jos Buttler, will be missed badly when they take the field against RCB, who seem to be on the roll.