In Match 65 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be locking horns with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday (May 15). RR are on the verge of securing a spot in the playoffs, but their recent performances have seen a significant slump. This match is crucial for RR to regain their form and ensure their place in the next stage of the tournament.

On the other hand, the PBKS have already been knocked out of the season, joining Mumbai Indians (MI) as the second team to be eliminated. Despite their disappointing run, PBKS will aim to finish their bitter season on a sweet note by winning their remaining games. A victory against RR would not only boost their morale but also allow them to end the season with a sense of accomplishment.

RR vs PBKS: Head to Head Record:

RR and PBKS have faced each other 27 times since the inception of the IPL in 2008.
Rajasthan clearly holds the comfortable lead with 16 victories, whereas Punjab have only won 11 matches.
In the last 5 matches, Rajasthan have a edge with a record of 4 wins against 1 for Punjab.
In their last game at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in 2023, PBKS merged victorious by 5 runs.
Both teams have displayed competitive fervor in recent meetings, making their clashes highly anticipated by cricket fans.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) Overview:

RR have had a rollercoaster season, with a strong start followed by a dip in form, losing their last three matches. Despite Riyan Parag‘s impressive performance in the previous match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the team struggled due to a lack of support from other batters. However, the bowling unit, led by Yuzvendra Chahal with excellent support from Ravichandran Ashwin and Nandre Burger, displayed a commendable effort, taking the game to the 19th over. RR will be hoping for their bowlers to maintain their good form and for the top-order batters to provide crucial support in the upcoming match.

RR’s probable playing XI for the IPL 2024 game against PBKS:

Yashasvi Jaiswal
Tom Kohler-Cadmore
Sanju Samson (c & wk)
Riyan Parag
Shubham Dubey
Dhruv Jurel
Ravichandran Ashwin
Trent Boult
Avesh Khan
Sandeep Sharma
Yuzvendra Chahal

Squad Characteristics:

In this RR lineup, Jaiswal and Kohler-Cadmore form a dynamic opening pair, providing a strong start to the innings. Samson, serving as both captain and wicketkeeper, anchors the middle order with his experience and leadership. Parag and Dubey add depth and stability, capable of accelerating the scoring when needed.
Jurel brings additional support in the lower middle order, ensuring the team has a solid batting lineup. Ashwin offers all-round capabilities with both bat and ball, adding versatility to the team.
In the bowling department, Boult leads the pace attack with his swing and accuracy, complemented by Avesh’s pace and Sandeep’s consistency. Chahal spearheads the spin attack with his crafty variations, making the bowling lineup well-rounded and formidable.

Also READ: IPL 2024: Salary of Rajasthan Royals (RR) players; check out how much Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson earn

Punjab Kings (PBKS) Overview:

PBKS  have had a disappointing season, already being out of the playoff race. Despite flashes of competitiveness, they have faced narrow defeats, including their last game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) where Rilee Rossouw and Shashank Singh showed promise with the bat. Nevertheless, the lack of support from other batters and some expensive bowling performances resulted in a defeat. PBKS will aim for an all-round performance in their final match to end the season on a positive note with a win.

PBKS’ probable playing XI for the IPL 2024 game against RR:

Jonny Bairstow (wk)
Prabhsimran Singh
Atharva Taide
Rilee Rossouw
Shashank Singh
Sam Curran (c)
Ashutosh Sharma
Harshal Patel
Rahul Chahar
Arshdeep Singh
Vidhwath Kaverappa

A Closure Look:

In this team, Bairstow takes on the wicketkeeping duties, providing stability and experience behind the stumps. Prabhsimran and Taide form a promising opening partnership, while Rossouw and Shashank add depth to the middle order.
Curran leads the team as captain, offering all-round capabilities with both bat and ball. Ashutosh and Harshal provide additional support in the middle order, ensuring the team has depth in batting.
In the bowling department, Chahar leads the spin attack with his crafty variations, while Arshdeep and Kaverappa spearhead the pace attack with their ability to take crucial wickets. Together, this well-rounded squad possesses the talent and depth to compete effectively in the IPL.

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