Match #27, RR Vs PBKS, IPL 2024, In an exciting encounter in Mullanpur, the Royals will try to make up for their previous errors against the Punjab Kings.
Mullanpur, the IPL 2024’s newest site, has been a fast bowler’s paradise, with 30 wickets dropping in two games so far. Of these, the quicks picked up 23. The venue has the best average for fast bowlers (19.7) and the lowest powerplay run rate (7.7). Rajasthan Royals, who were recently defeated for the first time in IPL 2024, maybe the happier team, as their quicks have taken 9 wickets in the powerplay at an average of 24.3, the best of any team in the competition. Kings aren’t far behind, averaging 26.6 runs per wicket in the powerplay, making it an interesting struggle at the top.
The Royals must not let history repeat, since they enjoyed a strong start to the IPL 2023, losing only one of their first five games and securing a playoff position. They have lost one and won four of the first five games of the IPL 2024, but they intend to make changes to their mistakes from the previous season.
Team Watch: Punjab Kings (PBKS)
In the spotlight
Shashank Singh showed his ability to finish on two separate occasions. Following his heroics against the Gujarat Titans, he nearly led the Kings to another incredible victory over SRH. While the Kings were narrowly defeated, he demonstrated that his performance against the Titans was not an aberration. Shashank has contributed significantly to the Kings’ 11.33 run rate in the death overs this season. His strike rate of 195.71 is the third-best among all batters who have faced 35 or more balls in the event.
Team news and impact player strategy
With Liam Livingstone injured, the Kings’ previous game against SRH had an unchanged lineup. Charl Langeveldt, the fast bowling coach, did not provide much information about Livingstone’s availability, indicating that they “will make a decision tomorrow”. If healthy, he might replace Sikandar Raza in the XII. Kings have consistently substituted Arshdeep Singh for Prabhsimran Singh or Ashutosh Sharma, and this trend is expected to continue.
Injury and availability
During the pre-match optional training session, Liam Livingstone spent a significant amount of time batting against the spinners, almost in a six-hitting contest with Jos Buttler in the parallel nets. However, PBKS pointed out that the final decision on his return to the XI would be made closer to the game.
Tactics and Match-ups
Yashasvi Jaiswal is yet to play in the IPL 2024, but there is already a concerning pattern emerging. The youthful RR opener has lost three wickets to left-arm pacers this year in five games, with an average of 11.33 against them. Arshdeep Singh of PBKS has a good record against the opener, dismissing him twice in 15 deliveries in their early IPL clash.
Probable XI
Shikhar Dhawan (C), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Prabsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Sikandar Raza/Liam Livingstone [Singh Arshdeep for Impact]
Team Watch: Rajasthan Royals (RR)
In the spotlight
Yuzvendra Chahal is just three wickets away from being the first bowler in IPL history to achieve 200. He has taken at least one wicket in every game so far this season, sharing the joint-highest total of ten wickets with Jasprit Bumrah. Eight of those came in the middle phase, which is more than any other bowler in the IPL 2024. His economy rate of 7.50 throughout the middle overs is also noteworthy. Chahal has not been hesitant to take risks and has frequently been Samson’s go-to bowler after the powerplay is over.
Team news and impact player strategy
Nandre Burger was hurt in the last game against the Gujarat Titans, and Trent Boult bowled only two overs. The team’s conditioning is a problem, as is Keshav Maharaj’s role as an Impact substitute for Yashasvi Jaiswal. If the Royals bat first, Jaiswal could start and be replaced later. Kuldeep Sen is likely to retain his position, and if Burger is fit, he may return to the XII. Sandeep Sharma’s availability is unknown, however, he has been training with the squad.
Injury and availability
The RR medical staff has yet to provide an update on the match fitness of Nandre Burger and Sandeep Sharma.
Tactics and Match-ups
It wouldn’t be surprising if RR handed the new ball to Yuzvendra Chahal, who has dominated both of Punjab’s openers in the IPL. Chahal has removed Shikhar Dhawan and Jonny Bairstow three times each, with the Englishman posting notably low figures—an average of 8.7 and a strike rate of 92.9.
Probable XI
Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, R Ashwin, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, and Sanju Samson (C, wk) [Nandre Burger/Keshav Maharaj, Impact sub]
Pitch and conditions
The surface in Mullanpur has helped pace, bounce, and carry, and it is expected to remain so come Saturday. The temperature is forecast to be in the mid-30s in the afternoon, but will likely drop to the mid-20s by the time play begins. There is also a 90 percent chance of cloud cover and possibly rain.
Did you know?
- Yuzvendra Chahal needs only three more wickets to become the first bowler in IPL history to record 200 wickets.
- Jos Buttler needs 65 more runs to reach 500 vs PBKS.
- Throughout his T20 career, Ashutosh holds the record for the second-quick 50 in all T20s and the fastest by an Indian hitter (off only 11 balls), with a career SR of 197.95.
Stats that matter
- Jonny Bairstow averages 17.33 against Chahal in T20s and has been dismissed three times in seven innings.
- R Ashwin has dismissed Dhawan four times in 14 T20 innings. Dhawan strikes at 84.4 versus the spinner.
- Arshdeep dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal twice in 15 balls in T20s. Jaiswal averages 7.50 against him and has a strike rate of 100.
- Shimron Hetmyer crushed Sam Curran for 45 runs in 18 balls in T20 cricket, striking at 250.00.
- Jos Buttler scored 157.35 against Kagiso Rabada in T20 cricket, averaging 53.50.
When
Punjab Kings against Rajasthan Royals, Match 27, on April 13 at 19:30 hours.
Where
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh, Mullanpur
Head-to-Head
In their 26 matches with PBKS, RR has a 15-11 lead.
What to expect
Pace-friendly surfaces have been spotted at the recently opened stadium. In the two matches played here, one in the afternoon and one at night, quicks have claimed 23 wickets to spinners’ low four. Here, chasing has proven to be the best option, though with varying degrees of success.
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