Rajasthan Royals (RR) have enjoyed a dream run in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) under the captaincy of Sanju Samson. The one-time champions finished second on the table after winning nine matches out 14 and finishing with a tally of 18 points.
Due to their top-two finish, RR now has the advantage of having two chances to reach the final. Ahead of their first Qualifier (Q1) vs Gujarat Titans on Tuesday (May 24) at Kolkata, RR’s bowling coach Lasith Malinga took to Twitter to post a heartfelt tweet and claimed they are in ‘touching distance of recreating history’ by recalling their historic title win in 2008.
“Rajasthan Royals played superb cricket throughout the season. Everyone contributed to the success of this amazing group. We’re now in touching distance of recreating history. Royals Family let’s get the job done!,” wrote Malinga on the micro-blogging site.
The Jaipur-based franchise created history in 2008 by winning the inaugural edition of the cash-rich league under Shane Warne’s captaincy. However, they have failed to lift the trophy once again after that and the ongoing season is the first time they have finished in the top-two on the table at the end of the league stage since the first season.
RR finished with 18 points to their name with a splendid record that saw them win nine games and lose just five times. They will face table-topper Gujarat Titans and look to seal their place in the final. The loser of tonight’s clash will face the winner of the tie between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the second qualifier on Friday (May 27) at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
Malinga is no stranger to winning IPL titles having been an integral part of four different Mumbai Indians’ (MI) championship-winning teams. The Sri Lankan pacer is the second-highest wicket-taker in the history of the competition. Malinga joined RR in his current role ahead of the 2022 season.
