RR vs PBKS Match Preview
Rajasthan once again started with their tested opening pair of Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal and the duo didn’t disappoint as they put up an 85-run partnership in just under 6 overs. Sanju Samson was as reliable as ever in the number-3 position and the hard-hitting top-order helped Rajasthan cross the 100-run mark in just 7.4 overs, which was the quickest in their IPL history.
While Samson, Buttler, and Yashasvi went on to score individual half-centuries, the middle order wasn’t in the best of forms and will be hoping to put up a better performance here.
The bowling was on point for the Royals in the opening game. Trent Boult bowled a brilliant first over, picking up 2 wickets to derail the chase early on, while Yuzuvendra Chahal picked up 4 wickets to rattle the middle order.
Shikhar Dhawan, who is playing his first full season as the skipper for the Kings, played a solid knock of 40 runs at the top of the order, while his opening partner, Prabhsimran Singh made a brisk 23.
The duo will once again look to give the team a solid start. Bhanuka Rajapaksa played well to score his maiden IPL half-century and will be looking to put up a similar performance here. The middle order looks a bit weak when compared to the Royals as the likes of Jitesh Sharma, Sam Curran, and Sikandar Raza lack consistency with the bat.
The Kings have a strong pace attack made up of Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curran, and Nathan Ellis.
The spin department does lack some bite though as Rahul Chahar is the only full-time spinner on the team and they will have to depend on part-timers like Raza and Harpreet Brar to fill in during the middle overs.
Weather Report
The weather is expected to be cloudy and we might see a couple of showers.
Pitch Report
This is the first IPL game that will be played the on this ground and it will be a new experience for both teams. We feel that the best way to go forward is to put up a big score on the board and put the opposition under pressure. The average first-inning score here in domestic T20s is around 150. While there isn’t much for the quicker bowlers in the pitch, the spinners will get some turn as the overs progress.
Notable stats
Don't Count Out Devdutt Padikkal Just Yet
Within just 3 years of making his IPL debut, Padikkal has emerged to be a reliable top-order batsman. He has scored 1262 runs in his IPL career at an average of 27.43 and a strike rate of 123.97.
Team News
There are no reports of injuries from either side.
RR vs PBKS Probable 11
RR Playing 11
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Jos Buttler
- Sanju Samson (C)
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Shimron Hetmeyer
- Riyan Parag
- Jason Holder
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Trent Boult
- KM Asif
PBKS Playing 11
- Shikhar Dhawan (C)
- Prabhsimran Singh (Wk)
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa
- Jitesh Sharma
- Shahrukh Khan
- Sam Curran
- Sikandar Raza
- Nathan Ellis
- Harpreet Brar
- Rahul Chahar
- Arshdeep Singh
Dream11 Prediction
We are backing the Rajasthan Royals to win here. They have some big hitters of the ball who are capable of taking on the average bowling line-up of the Punjab Kings. The latter lack variety in slow bowling which can prove to be an Achilles heel for them. The Royals also have a good bowling attack which could make the difference here.
Top Picks
Jos Buttler: Buttler has been a consistent performer for RR in the IPL. He amassed a phenomenal 863 runs in the last season and scored a blazing half-century in the opening match of this season.
Ravichandran Ashwin: One of the most seasoned campaigners in the IPL, Ashwin has the potential to change the course of the game within just a few deliveries. He has picked up 158 wickets in his IPL career and is also quite effective with the bat.
Shikhar Dhawan: Dhawan scored 40 runs in the opening game and appeared to be in good touch. He has a phenomenal average of 35.11 in the IPL and has scored 47 half-centuries and 2 centuries in his career.
RR vs PBKS Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: J Buttler (C), S Samson (VC), B Rajapaksa
Batters: S Dhawan, D Padikkal, Y Jaiswal
All-rounders: R Ashwin, R Parag, S Raza
Bowlers: T Boult, Y Chahal
