The 27th match of IPL 2024 will witness a clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Saturday, April 13.
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PBKS vs RR: Match Preview
Punjab Kings have had a reasonably good campaign so far, securing victories in two out of their five games. Despite a narrow loss in their last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the hosts aim to rebound strongly and ascend in the points table.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have enjoyed a splendid start, winning four out of five matches played. Despite a setback in their recent encounter against Gujarat Titans, they are determined to return to winning form and maintain their lead in the points table.
Although it’s early in the season, Mullanpur, the newest IPL venue, seems to favor fast bowlers. In the two matches held here, 30 wickets have fallen, with 23 taken by pacers. The pitch offers significant movement and bounce, particularly under lights, making run-scoring challenging initially.
Among all venues in IPL 2024, Mullanpur boasts the best average for fast bowlers (19.7) and the lowest run rate (7.7) in the powerplay. Nine wickets have been lost in the first six overs in two games, ranking joint second with Mumbai. Rajasthan Royals, despite their recent defeat, have reason to be optimistic, as their fast bowlers have been highly effective in the powerplay, averaging 24.3 runs per wicket, the best in the tournament. Punjab Kings are also formidable, with an average of 26.6 runs per wicket in the powerplay, setting the stage for an intriguing battle at the start.
However, Rajasthan Royals must guard against a repeat of history. Despite a promising start in IPL 2023, they faltered in the latter half of the season, failing to qualify for the playoffs. In IPL 2024, with one loss and four wins in the initial matches, they aim to rectify past mistakes and secure a spot in the knockout stage.
Match 27. Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to field. https://t.co/OBQBB758rm #TATAIPL #IPL2024 #PBKSvRR
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 13, 2024
PBKS vs RR: Pitch Report & Conditions
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur is renowned for its balanced pitch, offering opportunities for both batsmen and bowlers. The toss-winning captain may opt to bat first, aiming to set a formidable total.
The surface in Mullanpur typically supports pace, bounce, and carry, and these conditions are expected to persist on Saturday. Despite daytime temperatures in the mid-30s, they are projected to decrease to the mid-20s as play commences. A 90% cloud cover is anticipated, with the possibility of rain.
PBKS vs RR: Head-to-head
In the head-to-head encounters between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, a total of 26 matches have been played. Punjab Kings have emerged victorious in 11 of these matches, while Rajasthan Royals have won 15. There have been no instances of matches ending in no result. The first match between these teams was played on April 21, 2008, with the most recent one taking place on May 19, 2023.
PBKS vs RR: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings faced a setback with Liam Livingstone’s unavailability, maintaining an unchanged lineup in their previous match against SRH. The fast bowling coach, Charl Langeveldt, has kept Livingstone’s status under wraps, suggesting a decision will be made on his fitness closer to the game. If deemed fit, Livingstone might replace Sikandar Raza in the XII.
Punjab Kings have displayed consistency in their rotation strategy, often swapping Arshdeep Singh for Prabhsimran Singh or Ashutosh Sharma and vice versa, a trend likely to persist.
Predicted XI:
- Shikhar Dhawan (capt)
- Jonny Bairstow
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Sam Curran
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Shashank Singh
- Sikandar Raza
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Harpreet Brar
- Harshal Patel
- Kagiso Rabada
- Arshdeep Singh
Rajasthan Royals
In the previous game against Gujarat Titans, Nandre Burger was sidelined due to injury, while Trent Boult only bowled two overs and wasn’t reintroduced in the death overs. While this decision could be attributed to match-ups, Boult’s fitness remains a point of interest. Keshav Maharaj was brought in as an Impact substitute for Yashasvi Jaiswal in the last match, but considering the conditions in Mullanpur favor fast bowlers more, this strategy might change.
If Rajasthan Royals bat first, Jaiswal could start the innings and later be substituted for one of the fast bowlers or vice versa. Kuldeep Sen is expected to retain his place after an impressive performance in the previous game. If Burger is fit, he is likely to return to the XII and become one of the Impact Player options. There’s uncertainty regarding Sandeep Sharma’s availability, although he has been seen training with the squad.
Predicted XI:
- Jos Buttler
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sanju Samson (capt & wk)
- Riyan Parag
- Dhruv Jurel
- Shimron Hetmyer
- R Ashwin
- Trent Boult
- Avesh Khan
- Nandre Burger
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Kuldeep Sen
PBKS vs RR: Match Prediction
Scenario 1:
If Punjab Kings win the toss and opt to bat, they are expected to score between 60-70 runs in the Power Play. With this start, they are likely to set a total in the range of 170-180 runs for the first innings. However, despite their efforts, Rajasthan Royals are predicted to emerge victorious in this scenario.
Scenario 2:
Should Rajasthan Royals win the toss and choose to bat first, they are anticipated to score between 70-80 runs in the Power Play. This solid start could propel them to a first innings total of 180-190 runs. In this scenario, Rajasthan Royals are expected to clinch the victory.
PBKS vs RR: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1:
- Keeper: Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson
- Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shashank Singh
- All-rounders: Sam Curran (c), Riyan Parag (vc)
- Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh
Team 2:
- Keeper: Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c)
- Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal
- All-rounders: Sam Curran, Riyan Parag
- Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Sen
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) IPL 2024
When: 7:30 PM IST, Saturday – April 13
Where: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
Where to watch PBKS vs RR Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch PBKS vs RR Live Telecast: Star Sports
