Match particulars
Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) Mullanpur, 7.30pm IST (2pm GMT)
Large Image – Tempo the way in which to go in Mullanpur?
Amongst all of the venues up to now in IPL 2024, Mullanpur has the most effective common for quick bowlers (19.7) and the bottom run charge (7.7) within the powerplay. 9 wickets have fallen within the first six overs right here in two video games, joint second with Mumbai. Solely Jaipur has seen extra wickets fall within the powerplay this season, however 4 video games have already been performed there.
Will this concern Rajasthan Royals, who’re coming into the sport having simply been crushed for the primary time in IPL 2024 on Wednesday? Nope. Quite the opposite, they may be the happier facet. The Royals’ quicks have picked up 9 wickets within the powerplay at a mean of 24.3, the most effective amongst any staff within the match. Kings are additionally not too far behind averaging 26.6 runs per wicket within the powerplay and that might make for an attention-grabbing battle up prime.
The opposite factor Royals will must be cautious of isn’t letting historical past repeat itself. That they had an amazing begin to their IPL 2023 shedding simply considered one of their first 5 video games and a playoff spot appeared imminent. However, they gained simply three of their subsequent 9 matches and did not qualify for the knockouts. In IPL 2024, they’ve once more misplaced one and gained 4 of the primary 5 video games, however this time will hope to proper their wrongs of final season.
Kind information
Punjab Kings: LWLLW (IPL 2024; most up-to-date matches first)Rajasthan Royals: LWWWW
Crew information and Impression Participant Technique
Punjab Kings
With Liam Livingstone unfit, Kings went with an unchanged line-up of their final recreation towards SRH. Quick bowling coach Charl Langeveldt did not shed a lot mild on Livingstone’s availability stating that they “will decide tomorrow”. If match, he might substitute Sikandar Raza within the XII.
Kings have been constant in subbing out Arshdeep Singh for Prabhsimran Singh or Ashutosh Sharma and vice-versa and that’s prone to stay unchanged.
Probably XII: 1 Shikhar Dhawan (capt), 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 Prabhsimran Singh, 4 Sam Curran, 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Shashank Singh, 7 Sikandar Raza, 8 Ashutosh Sharma, 9 Harpreet Brar, 10 Harshal Patel, 11 Kagiso Rabada, 12 Arshdeep Singh
Rajasthan Royals
Nandre Burger was out injured in Royals’ earlier recreation towards Gujarat Titans, whereas Trent Boult bowled simply two overs and was not introduced again within the dying. Whereas that might simply be right down to match-ups, Boult’s health can even be one to be careful for. Royals had introduced in Keshav Maharaj as an Impression sub for Yashasvi Jaiswal within the earlier match, however that’s prone to change contemplating the floor in Mullanpur has extra in it for the quick bowlers.
If Royals bat first, Jaiswal might begin and be subbed later for one of many quick bowlers or vice-versa. Kuldeep Sen is prone to maintain his place after a superb displaying within the earlier recreation. If Burger is match, he’s prone to stroll again into the XII and be one of many Impression Participant choices. There is no such thing as a readability on Sandeep Sharma’s availability as effectively, although he has been coaching with the squad.
Probably XII: 1 Jos Buttler, 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Sanju Samson (capt & wk), 4 Riyan Parag, 5 Dhruv Jurel, 6 Shimron Hetmyer, 7 R Ashwin, 8 Trent Boult, 9 Avesh Khan, 10 Nandre Burger, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal, 12 Kuldeep Sen
Within the highlight – Shashank Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal is three shy of 200 wickets within the IPL•BCCI
Stats that matter
R Ashwin has eliminated Dhawan 4 occasions in 14 T20 innings. Dhawan strikes at solely 84.4 towards the spinner.
Arshdeep has dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal twice in 15 balls in T20s. Jaiswal averages simply 7.50 towards him and strikes at 100.
Shimron Hetmyer has crashed Sam Curran for 45 runs in 18 balls in T20 cricket, hanging at 250.00.
Jos Buttler strikes at 157.35 towards Kagiso Rabada in T20 cricket, whereas averaging 53.50.
Pitch and situations
The floor in Mullanpur has aided tempo, bounce and carry and that is prone to stay unchanged come Saturday. The temperature is anticipated to be within the mid-30s within the afternoon however is prone to drop right down to mid-20s by the point play will get underway. There’s additionally prone to be a 90% cloud cowl and a few possibilities of rain.
Quotes
“We wish him to take wickets for us. The opposite night time he began effectively. His mindset may be very optimistic, he’s a wicket-taker for us. He has hit the depth and I cannot be fearful about it.”Kings bowling coach Charl Langeveldt is not fearful about Rabada’s lack of wickets
“For those who take a look at the [Royals] staff, you all the time need leaders throughout the staff. Clearly, Sanju bhai is the chief of the staff and he entrusts sure folks. It’s all the time good in a cricket staff whether or not you might be younger or previous, when you have good recommendation, nothing flawed with passing on the data since you by no means know when it could assist.”Keshav Maharaj on the optimistic temper within the Royals camp
Ashish Pant is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo