Cricket

Rajasthan Royals, currently languishing at the bottom of the Indian Premier League (IPL) standings, face a daunting task as they prepare to take on table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a crucial match on May 19 in Guwahati. The Royals, who have lost their last four matches, are desperate to snap their losing streak and secure a top-two finish, which would give them two chances to reach the final.KKR, on the other hand, have already secured a playoff berth and are looking to maintain their momentum. However, they will be without their in-form opener Phil Salt, who has returned to England for national duty. Rahmanullah Gurbaz will replace Salt, but it remains to be seen if he can make an immediate impact.The Royals' batting has been a major concern in recent matches, as they have failed to cross the 150-mark in their last two outings. The absence of Jos Buttler, who has returned home for national duty, has left a big void in the team's batting lineup.Yashasvi Jaiswal, skipper Sanju Samson, and local hero Riyan Parag will have to shoulder additional responsibilities if the Royals are to turn their fortunes around. They will need to provide a solid foundation for the middle and lower order, which includes Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.KKR's batting has been led by the opening duo of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, who have scored over 800 runs between them. The middle order, featuring Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Nitish Rana, has also contributed significantly.The Royals' bowling attack, led by Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal, has been inconsistent. They will need to find a way to contain KKR's explosive batting lineup, which also includes Venkatesh Iyer and Sam Billings.KKR's bowling attack, on the other hand, has been more reliable. Varun Chakravarthy, Pat Cummins, and Tim Southee have all been in good form, and they will be looking to exploit the Royals' batting weaknesses.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. The Royals will be desperate to end their losing streak and secure a top-two finish, while KKR will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure a home advantage in the playoffs.