PBKS vs RR Match Preview

In the first phase of the IPl 2021, RR Sealed a victory by 55 runs over infamous SRH who is at the bottom of the point table including three wins in total in the first half with 4 losses against top Teams and a reverse fixture against PBKS

 KL Rahul’s PBKS, on the other hand, suffered a 7-wicket loss to DC, who defeated them twice this season, in their most fresh outing in IPL 2021. The Punjab Kings also agonized over defeats to SRH, CSK, and KKR. Rahul and Co, however, obtained wins over Royals in the reverse fixture, RCB, and MI.

When it comes to head-to-head record in IPL, it’s a very close-knit affair with Royals winning 12 and Punjab 10 in their 22 encounters so far in the cash-rich league. Both RR and PBKS will endeavour for wins as they look to ensure a playoff spot which is a difficult task already and one more slip up will make it even harder for them to jump into the top four.

Match Details

Match – Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals – 32nd match

Venue – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Time – 7:30 PM IST, 02:00 PM GMT

Where to watch live – Star Sports Network, Hotstar

Pitch Report

The pitch in Mumbai has been a batsman’s heaven and a bowler’s churchyard. The fact that dew is expected to play a part will make bowling a strenuous task. Hence, batting second should be the way onward. The pacers are destined to get some support from the surface.

Avg first innings score: 170 (Last 27 IPL matches in Dubai)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 10, Lost – 17, Tied – 0

Weather Report

The playing conditions would be transparent with the temperature around 31 degrees Celsius. The humidity will regularly be in the 40s.

PBKS vs RR Playing 11

PBKS Predicted Playing 11

Lokesh Rahul (C and wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Moises Henriques, Harpreet Brar, Adil Rashid, Mohammad Shami, Murugan Ashwin/Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh

RR Predicted Playing 11

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Liam Livingstone, Sanju Samson (C and WK), Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, David Miller/Manan Vohra, Chris Morris, Rahul Tewatia, Chetan Sakariya, Jaydev Unadkat/Mustafizur Rahman, Tabraiz Shamsi

Head-to-Head

Overall

Played – 22 | Punjab Kings– 10 | Rajasthan Royals– 12 |N/R – 0

In the UAE

Played – 3 | Punjab Kings– 1 | Rajasthan Royals– 2 |N/R – 0

PBKS vs RR Key players

KL Rahul- Punjab Kings

KL Rahul, the Orange Cap holder of IPL 2020, has a clean record against PBKS. In nine games facing them, he has nicked 390 runs at an average and strike rate of 55.71 and 125.40 respectively. The right-hander has also scored four fifties fronting them with a top score of an unbeaten 95.

Chris Morris– Rajasthan Royals

Chris Morris is set to make his appearance for the Royals and he is expected to guide their bowling attack in the first game. Against Punjab, the speeder has bowled 40 overs in which he has picked up 13 wickets with figures of 3/23 and a modest economy rate of 6.88. Not to forget that Morris can be more than helpful with the bat in hand and can churn out some lusty blows in need.

Team News

PUNJAB KINGS

• Punjab Kings Punjab Kings will see the return of their captain KL Rahul to the 11 beside a few more changes as they succeeded the likes of Riley Meredith, Dawid Malan, and Jhye Richardson with Aiden Markram, Adil Rashid, and Nathan Ellis. With the wickets supporting slower bowlers, Punjab may opt for players fit for the role.
• Punjab Kings currently sit level on points with Rajasthan, but below them within the table having played and lost game quite their opponents

RAJASTHAN ROYALS

• Rajasthan Royals resume their 2021 IPL campaign in fifth-place with three wins and 4 defeats from their seven matches played thus far.
• Rajasthan Royals The Royals have substituted Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Andrew Tye with Evin Lewis, Oshane Thomas, Glenn Phillips and Tabraiz Shamsi going into the second part of IPL 2021. And with many variations to the squad and the return of few stars, who fumbled out in the first half, the Royals will make quite a few changes to their Squad.

PBKS vs RR Match Tips

Both teams possess a strong batting line-up but might strive in the bowling department. Given the circumstances at the venue, the chasing team would have a large advantage.

Today’s match prediction: Rajasthan Royals to win the match.