As the Rajasthan Royals strive to rediscover their winning form and secure a top-two spot in the standings, Punjab Kings (PBKS) face the challenge of steering clear from the bottom of the table. With PBKS out of the playoff race, both teams aim to finish their campaign on a positive note.
Overview
In the clash between RR and PBKS, the Rajasthan Royals find themselves at a crossroads. Once poised to lead the points table, they now face uncertainty after three consecutive defeats. While Lucknow Super Giants’ loss to Delhi Capitals secured their playoffs spot, securing a top-two finish remains imperative.
Jos Buttler’s absence, as he represents England in the T20 World Cup, presents a significant challenge for RR. Furthermore, doubts linger over Shimron Hetmyer’s fitness after his recent injury, while Rovman Powell’s struggles add to their concerns.
The question looms large: How can RR fill the void left by Buttler at the top of the order? Options include Tom Kohler-Cadmore, experienced in global T20 leagues but untested in India, or promoting Dhruv Jurel, a Ranji Trophy opener with limited T20 exposure.
Meanwhile, PBKS, out of playoff contention, now aim to avoid the bottom of the table in their encounter with RR.
Team Updates and Key Players Strategy
Rajasthan Royals : In the upcoming RR vs PBKS match, Rajasthan Royals might introduce Tom Kohler-Cadmore for his IPL debut, unless they opt for Dhruv Jurel as an opener instead. The team is likely to field just three overseas players initially – Trent Boult, assuming Shimron Hetmyer is fit, and Kohler-Cadmore. Later in the game, they may bring in Rovman Powell or Nandre Burger as an Impact Player based on the match situation and conditions.
Expected Playing XII:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Tom Kohler-Cadmore
- Sanju Samson (captain, wicketkeeper)
- Riyan Parag
- Dhruv Jurel
- Shimron Hetmyer
- R Ashwin
- Trent Boult
- Avesh Khan
- Sandeep Sharma
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- (Possible replacements: Nandre Burger/Rovman Powell/Keshav Maharaj)
Punjab Kings : As for Punjab Kings, Liam Livingstone has exited the IPL to address a knee issue ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow are available for PBKS in this encounter before they join the England squad. Vidwath Kaverappa, the swing bowler from Karnataka, is expected to feature as an Impact Player once again, with PBKS likely to swap him for a specialist batter. With Kagiso Rabada back home due to a soft-tissue infection, Nathan Ellis is set to take his place in the lineup.
Expected Playing XII:
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper)
- Rilee Rossouw
- Shashank Singh
- Jitesh Sharma
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Sam Curran (captain)
- Harshal Patel
- Nathan Ellis
- Rahul Chahar
- Arshdeep Singh
- (Possible replacements: Vidwath Kaverappa/Harpreet Brar)
Recent Track Record
Rajasthan Royals [RR] :[ L , L , L , W , W]
Punjab Kings [PBK] :[ L , L , W , W , L]
In the limelight
After an impressive streak of seven consecutive fifties for Assam in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Riyan Parag returns to Guwahati for his third IPL match at the venue. Although he managed only 20 runs batting at No. 6 against PBKS last season in Guwahati, the local talent now has an opportunity to shine brighter at No. 4, considering his recent form. Just 100 runs away from matching Ruturaj Gaikwad as the season’s second-highest run-scorer, Parag stands out, with only Virat Kohli surpassing 600 runs this season.
On the other hand, Jitesh Sharma began the IPL as India’s preferred T20 wicketkeeper-batsman but experienced a drastic decline in form, resulting in his exclusion from the upcoming World Cup squad. With only 133 runs in ten innings this season at an average of 13.30 and a strike rate below 125, his performance lags behind. Ranking third-lowest in strike rate among batters with at least ten innings this IPL, behind Sam Curran and Ajinkya Rahane, Sharma faces a critical juncture. Can he turn the tables and finish the IPL on a high note ?
Pitch Conditions and Statistics
This match marks the beginning of IPL action in Guwahati for 2024. With only two previous IPL games held at this venue, the team batting first emerged victorious on both occasions. The weather forecast predicts thunderstorms during the day .
Important Stats:
- Trent Boult’s IPL journey boasts encounters with over ten different opponents. Interestingly, his least favorable stats come against PBKS, with an average of 43.6 and an economy rate of 9.98.
- Chahal’s season with the ball can be divided into two phases. Initially, he shone brightly with 11 wickets in six matches, averaging 14.81 with an economy rate of 7.40. However, in the subsequent six matches, he struggled, managing just four wickets, with his average soaring to 68.75 and his economy rate to 11.45.
- Arshdeep Singh has shown his prowess against Yashasvi Jaiswal in T20 matches, getting him out twice in only 20 deliveries while conceding just 26 runs. On the other hand, Arshdeep’s encounters with Powell have been more eventful, witnessing 56 runs scored off 28 balls along with three dismissals.
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