*PBKS VS RR PREVIEW-MATCH 66*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Whenever Rajasthan are up against Punjab, thrillers have come by in the IPL and today with the game offering much more than just 2 points that seems like an understatement most often than not, things could spice up and reach new heights. Both teams require a win to keep their hopes for the playoffs alive and they will look to sign off this season with a bang, a win against their name in their last league game.
Punjab have conceded way too many 200+ totals this season despite having the likes of Curran, Ellis, Rabada, Chahar, Arshdeep up their sleeves. This piece of trivia is enough to confuse anybody but what this boils down to has been the poor strategies employed by this group coupled with players not sticking to what’s asked of them. In an otherwise mediocre campaign with a superb outfit assembled, had it been managed better, the team would have been a sure starter for the semi finals of this tourney. On the other hand, Rajasthan after starting in an emphatic fashion lost steam. While Jaiswal stayed in top form, Buttler lost way and has struggled ever since. Samson has blown hot and cold while finishers Jurel and Hetmyer haven’t been able to come to the party at the back end. RR, having the resources, in their bowling department have been left wanting for more of Boult who has cluelessly been missing in some crucial games. This has been the highlight of their season but tonight at the picturesque Dharamshala, Rajasthan would look to capture those two points.
*PBKS PROBABLE XI:*
Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Sikandar Raza, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sam Curran, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Nathan Ellis, Rishi Dhawan
Liam Livingstone, who has struck 450 runs at a strike rate of 206.42 against right-arm fast/seam, has the best strike rate against this bowling type in the IPL. Sandeep Sharma and KM Asif would be under his radar today and could be on the receiving end of a belting if Livingstone is in the same mood as he was the other day.
Dharamshala is Punjab’s home ground but the Kings do not enjoy a good record at any of their home grounds this season. They have fallen short of utilising the conditions and the nature of the pitch to their advantage and today again with the availability of Boult, RR could target PBKS and dent them bad.
Arshdeep and Rishi Dhawan could be more than handy with the ball, swinging it and putting the RR batters under trouble. Rishi knows this ground extremely well as it’s his home ground and the two swing bowlers could create havoc. Expect Ellis to be back in the reckoning after an expensive outing for KG Rabada, the other day.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Arshdeep Singh to play this role with Shahrukh Khan playing a similar role if Punjab bat second.
*RR PROBABLE XI:*
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson(c)(wk), Joe Root, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Sandeep Sharma, who is a natural swing bowler boasts of an impressive record at Dharamshala. The conditions suit him and he has been able to capitalise over here. The Indian pacer averages a stunning 14.20, with an economy under 6, picking up 10 wickets.
Both Ashwin and Chahal have the wood over the PBKS left handed skipper Shikhar Dhawan. The batter is coming off a golden duck and would hope for better returns but his comeback could be stalled by the veteran spinners and one of the most powerful spin duos- Yuzi and R Ashwin.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
KM Asif to come in as the impact substitute for RR if they bowl second. A similar role could be played by the swashbuckling left handed batter in Devdutt Padikkal with RR batting second.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR PBKS:*
Highest run getter- Prabhsimran Singh/Liam Livingstone
Highest wicket taker- Arshdeep Singh/Nathan Ellis
*FOR RR:*
Highest run getter- Yashasvi Jaiswal/Jos Buttler
Highest wicket taker- Trent Boult/Ravi Ashwin
*FOR THE GAME:*
Rajasthan to win