Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will clash in the 27th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). The PBKS vs RR match is scheduled to be played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh.
Both teams will look for a victory in this game to return to winning ways. PBKS suffered a painful two-run loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last game. Chasing 183, they were reeling at 114 for 6 in the 16th over before Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Sharma almost took them to another incredible victory. In the end, PBKS finished at 180 for 6.
With just two wins in their first five games, PBKS are reeling in eighth place on the points table and desperately need a series of wins to bolster their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.
On the other hand, RR’s winning start to the season came to an end with a loss against Gujarat Titans in their last match. RR had managed to reduce GT to 133 for 5 while he defended 196, but eventually suffered a loss on the last ball. With four wins and one loss, RR is at the top of the points table and will seek to return to winning ways.
PBKS vs RR: Impact players
RR won the toss and elected to pitch first. Speaking at the toss, RR captain Sanju Samson said: “We are going to bowl first, it looks like a decent wicket to bowl first. We have set a target to not think about the target, focus on the process, work on the build of the team and we are doing well. There are also many challenges outside, we are missing many players for tonight’s game. 90% of the game was good: Jos is not 100%, Ash bhai is having a problem, so Rovman. and Kotian enter the XI.”
PBKS stand-in captain Sam Curran said: “Shikhar had a problem, that’s why I’m here. We would have also bowled first, but now we will have to put the runs on the board. The balance has been OK, we would have liked to win some games more, but the middle order looks good, especially Shashank and Ashutosh. We have exciting players and a lot of quality tonight Taide will replace Livingstone as well.”
Impact players nominated by PBKS and RR:
PBKS:
Rahul Chahar, Ashutosh Sharma, Vidwath Kaverappa, Harpreet Bhatia, Nathan Ellis
RR:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shubham Dubey, Navdeep Saini, Abid Mushtaq
Playing XI:
PBKS:
Jonny Bairstow, Atharva Taide, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada.
RR:
Sanju Samson (cy week), Riyan Parag, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Tanush Kotian, Trent Boult, Keshav Maharaj, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Yuzvendra Chahal