The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur has witnessed its fair share of drama in the IPL over the years. While it might not be a high-scoring ground, with an average first innings score of 160, it has provided a platform for some thrilling contests.
Here’s a closer look at what the pitch at Sawai Mansingh Stadium offers:
- Chaser’s Paradise: Despite Rajasthan’s recent win batting first, statistics favour teams chasing here. 34 out of 53 IPL matches have been won by teams batting second.
- Early Swing and Spin: The pitch offers assistance to both pacers and spinners, especially in the initial overs. Teams winning the toss often choose to bowl first, taking advantage of the swing and early turn.
- Low-Scoring Battles: With bigger boundaries compared to most Indian grounds, the pitch keeps scores in check. Only twice in IPL history has a team crossed the 200-run mark here, and there’s only been one century scored.
- Unpredictable Bounce: The recent IPL match here saw moving cracks on the pitch, aiding the spinners. This element of surprise can turn the tide of the match.
Bowling Records and Dominance:
- Sohail Tanvir’s Record Stands Tall: Though his record of 6/14 was broken by Alzarri Joseph in 2019, Sohail Tanvir’s bowling performance against CSK in 2008 remains a highlight.
- Siddharth Trivedi – The Wicket Taking King: With 36 scalps, Siddharth Trivedi leads the pack for most wickets taken by a bowler at this stadium. Legends like Shane Warne and Shane Watson also feature on the list.
Batsman’s Struggles:
- Lowest Score Woes: Rajasthan Royals hold the unwanted record for the lowest score at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, mustering only 59 runs against RCB in 2023.
- Limited Big Scores: Scoring big runs has proven difficult here. Ajinkya Rahane tops the list for most runs with 1115, but there’s a significant gap between him and other batsmen.
Overall, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium presents a challenging yet exciting surface. The upcoming match promises a battle between bowlers and batsmen, with the element of chase adding another layer of intrigue.