RR vs PBKS is the eighth match in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium, one of the three home venues of Rajasthan Royals (RR), will host the fixture. It will be Punjab Kings’ first trip away from home this season, and the Mohali-based franchise would be keen to pick maximum points. But RR has a strong squad capable of winning silverware this season.
The match is on April 5, Wednesday, and is set to begin at 7:30 PM.
Rajasthan Royals Overview
With plenty of firepower in the top order and a world-class bowling attack, RR will be keen to assert its dominance over PBKS. The IPL 2022 runners-up will be eager to seal all two points against the Mohali-based side without the star batter Jonny Bairstow. The batting line-up of Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Devdutt Padikkal, and Shimron Hetmyer is a major headache for any bowling attack.
RR is likely to miss the services of Obed McCoy, who is still recovering from his injury. However, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jason Holder are intimidating for any quality batting line-up. Chahal and Ashwin have 47 wickets between them against PBKS.
Punjab Kings Overview
PBKS will look to end a bad run of results against Samson-led Royals. Much will depend on the contribution from captain Shikhar Dhawan, while there will be plenty of expectations from Sri Lanka’s Bhanuka Rajapaksa and England batter Liam Livingstone. Both players had a strike rate of over 150 last season. Jithesh Sharma, too, is a vital member of PBKS’ playing 11.
Kagiso Rabada is expected to join the squad on April 3, and it will be a massive boost for the PBKS think-tank, which will be banking on South Africa’s experience. In Rabada and Arshdeep Singh, the franchise has players with wicket-taking ability and keep batters at bay. Rahul Chahar, who played for India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, is a spinner with plenty of IPL experience.
RR vs PBKS Head-to-Head
The Royals grabbed a comfortable win over PBKS in the last meeting between the two sides. Jaiswal and Chahal shone for the Rajasthan-based franchise. The left-handed batter scored 68, while the spinner took a three-wicket haul.
PBKS vs KKR Last Five Meetings
RR & PBKS IPL 2022 Stats
Look at last year’s IPL stats of RR & PBKS:
- Top Run-scorer: Sanju Samson – 55 runs (RR); Bhanuka Rajapaksa – 50 Runs (PBKS)
- Most Wickets: Yuzvendra Chahal – 4 wickets (RR); Arshdeep Singh – 3 Wickets (PBKS)
- Most Sixes: Sanju Samson – 4 sixes (RR); Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma, & Sam Curran – 2 Sixes (PBKS)
Probable Best Batter & Bowler
Buttler and Boult could top the runs and wickets chart in match eight of IPL 2023.
RR vs PBKS: Who will Win?
With its impressive run over PBKS in the past, the Royals are favorites to pick up two points in their second IPL 2023 fixture. RR has some of the best domestic and overseas players on their roster. However, it won’t be easy for RR as the Dhawan-led side has plenty of fighting spirit in them. Let’s hope for an exciting clash in Guwahati.