Swann said Jofra Archer is the X-factor for the RR team.
Former England cricketer Graeme Swann has called Rajasthan Royals’ all-rounder Rahul Tewatia a “match-winner” ahead of RR’s crucial IPL 2020 clash against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on Friday (October 30) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Tewatia has been one of the good performers for the franchise in the ongoing IPL 2020, scoring 224 runs at an average of 44.80 with a strike rate of 143.58 apart from bagging 7 wickets with an economy rate of 7.15 with his leg-spin in the 12 matches for the RR in the ongoing season.
While Swann also said the Royals have a great overseas quartet of Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Steve Smith, and Jofra Archer but rated Tewatia as a match-winner for the franchise in the ongoing IPL 2020. He also insisted that KXIP looks a completely different outfit with Chris Gayle’s presence in the XI.
Swann said on Star Sports show GAME PLAN: “Well Kings XI are a strong team, there is no doubt about that. Since Chris Gayle has come into the fold, they look like a completely different outfit. Rajasthan Royal has to believe in their overseas players because they have got some real talent, possibly the four most talented overseas players in Butler, Stokes, Smith, and Archer and they have to go out there and play fearless cricket. At the end of the day, if those guys don't win it, Tewatia will.”
He also rated Archer as the real X-factor with his fearsome pace by saying: “It will actually be Archer; he is bowling quick and he is the stand out new ball bowler in this IPL.”
Noteworthy, KXIP is currently unbeaten in their last five outings in the ongoing IPL 2020 while RR is placed at the 7th spot and both are hungry for 2 points to move closer to the playoffs spot.
However, Punjab will be the favorites against the Royals in Abu Dhabi but in their last game, RR emerged victorious against Mumbai Indians and would certainly like to emerge winners against the KXIP as well.
(With India Today Inputs)