TACTICAL PREVIEW
Follow UsHow do you draw a narrative for Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals clash? Sure, the Royals are flying at the moment, but they are still far from being one of the most followed sides around the country.
Despite playing one of the most entertaining brands of cricket in the last few years, Royals still struggle to grapple to win over their own fans and hence, experimented with a venue like Gauwhati to gain some popularity.
Punjab Kings’ fortunes are no different either. After getting a dire response from Mohali fans, the Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia-owned franchise have added two more home bases in Dharamsala and Mullanpur. But that has hardly been able to change their standing in the league.
However, it is not a secret that both teams have a core that has the potential to do some magic. While Indian youngsters have starred big for Punjab Kings lately, Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson are doing some incredible things for the Royals. It is hard to understand how BCCI will overlook both of them for the impending World Cup, but the equation on April 13 (Saturday) is not to worry about that but to add two points to the tally.
PBKS vs RR Head-to-Head
Overall - Games 26 | PBKS 11 | RR 15
Last Five Games - PBKS 2 | RR 3
Venue and Condition Details
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur is the latest addition to the Great Indian Stadium circus and the first T20 game was held in 2022. Teams have more often than not opted to bowl first at this venue in T20s.
In two games this season, teams have opted to bowl first in both matches but teams batting first have also managed to win a game. The average first innings score was 131 at this venue in 2022, but it went up to 173 in 2023. The average first innings-winning score also saw an increase. In the first match here in IPL 2024, Delhi Capitals scored 174 while batting first and lost the game.
Since last year, pacers have taken wickets at a much better rate than spinners at this venue. Pacers have taken 85% of the wickets this season, but spinners have maintained a slightly better economy.
Weather Forecast
There is no chance of rain in Mullanpur on Saturday, with the humidity soaring further. Dew will come into play later in the game.
Things to watch out for
Can PBKS power up their powerplay game?
Punjab Kings have lost four out of their six games in the IPL 2024 already - and at the heart of it lies a huge issue in the first six overs. Punjab Kings’ batters have a run rate of 8.1 in the first six overs this season, which is the joint second-lowest for a team. Add to that Rajasthan Royals’ performance with the ball in the first six, things could be really challenging.
While Shikhar Dhawan made a good start, scoring 45 and 70 runs respectively in the second and third games, he has managed just 37 runs in the rest of the 3 games. Dhawan averages 55.6 when batting first but just averages 20.3 in chases which is a significant drop off considering his standards. He's also been striking at just 123 in the powerplay this season.
At the other end is Jonny Bairstow, who apart from his 29-ball-42 run knock against LSG has failed to step up this season. But unlike Dhawan, who has been troubled against pacers, Bairstow can be content with the fact that RR don’t have a left-arm orthodox spinner in their ranks - a type that has troubled him massively in the last few years.
What is hurting Yashasvi Jaiswal?
The way Yashasvi Jaiswal’s stock has grown in the last year is tremendous to see. After dominating white-ball attacks all around the world, Jaiswal has done really well in the red-ball format too. But lately, his form in the IPL has taken a nosedive as he is yet to cross the 30-run mark this season.
There is a clear pattern to his dismissals. Pace has troubled him in all five games, and that would keep him on his toes, especially given that PBKS are a pace-heavy side with the likes of Arshdeep, Rabada, and Harshal.
Jaiswal, who takes pride in tackling the back-of-length deliveries comfortably, has been struggling against the same delivery this season, where he has been dismissed three times in five innings.
Can he arrest the slide and show a glimpse of what makes him such a special cricketer?
Probable XIs
PBKS likely XII: Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shashank Singh, Sikandar Raza, Ashutosh Sharma (IP), Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh
RR likely XII: 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 (IP)
TV and streaming details
You can watch the game live from 7:30 PM on Star Sports (TV) and Jio Cinema (Streaming).
