Rajasthan Royals Eye Playoffs Berth Against Eliminated Punjab Kings
Royals Need a Win to Secure Knockouts Spot
RR Vs PBKS – The Rajasthan Royals (RR) will lock horns with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a crucial encounter for the Royals in the 65th match of the 2024 IPL. The match will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, May 15th.
Royals in Strong Position Despite Recent Dip
While the Royals need a win to solidify their place in the playoffs, the match holds no consequence for the Punjab Kings who have already been knocked out of contention.
Despite losing their last three matches, the Royals remain comfortably in second place thanks to their strong start to the season.
Head-to-Head: Advantage Rajasthan
The Royals hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record this season, having defeated the Kings in a low-scoring thriller by three wickets in their previous encounter.
Punjab Out of the Race
With two matches remaining in the league stage, the Kings’ elimination is confirmed. Even victories in both their remaining fixtures wouldn’t be enough to propel them into playoff contention due to the minimum qualification point being 14.
RR Vs PBKS: Weather/Pitch Report
Dry Evening Expected, But Dew Could Be a Factor
While the weather forecast predicts clear skies for the evening of May 15th, high humidity levels around 77% could lead to significant dew formation. This dew might play a crucial role in the second half of the match, especially affecting how the ball behaves.
Barsapara Stadium Pitch: A Batters’ Paradise with a Spinners’ Twist
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium is known for its batting-friendly pitches, particularly suited for high-scoring encounters in white-ball cricket. The surface offers minimal assistance to pacers, allowing batsmen to freely score runs. However, there’s a caveat: spinners can find some grip and bounce on this pitch, potentially causing some trouble for batsmen if they get complacent.
RR Vs PBKS: Predicted Playing XI
Rajasthan Royals
SV Samson (C), DC Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, T Kohler-Cadmore, Shubham Dubey, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, R Parag, Avesh Khan, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal
Punjab Kings
JM Bairstow (wk), P Simran Singh, JM Sharma, RR Rossouw, AR Sharma, Shashank Singh, SM Curran (C), Chris Woakes, RD Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, HV Patel
Captain/Vice-Captain Picks: RR Vs PBKS
- Sanju Samson (RR, WK): The Royals’ captain leads by example. Currently ranked 5th in the IPL’s run-scoring list, Samson boasts 486 runs at an impressive average of 60.75 and a blistering strike rate of 158.31.
- Riyan Parag (RR, BAT): Parag has been RR’s rock in the middle order. Batting at No. 4, the right-hander has amassed 483 runs with a consistent average of 60.38 and a strike rate of 153.82.
- Shashank Singh (PBKS, ALL): PBKS owes much of their success this season to Shashank Singh. His explosive power-hitting has single-handedly led the team to numerous victories.
Top Player Picks: RR Vs PBKS
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR, BAT): Jaiswal provides a strong start for RR in the powerplay, despite not always translating it into big scores. With Jos Buttler’s absence, the left-hander might need to take on a bigger role and convert his starts.
- Jonny Bairstow (PBKS, WK): Bairstow’s form has been patchy this season, but the English wicketkeeper can be a real threat when in rhythm. He has the ability to score big runs at a rapid pace.
- Sandeep Sharma (RR, BOWL): Sandeep Sharma is likely to be brought in as an impact player, known for his composure and ability to deliver in the high-pressure death overs.
Dark Horse Picks/Game Changers: RR Vs PBKS
- Rilee Rossouw (PBKS, BAT): Rossouw provided a spark for PBKS in their recent match against RCB. His blistering knock of 61 runs off just 27 balls offered a glimmer of hope while chasing a massive target.
- Ravichandran Ashwin (RR, ALL): Ashwin has been in impressive form, picking up five wickets in his last two matches with a tight economy rate. The experienced off-spinner will be crucial for RR in their upcoming playoff push.
- Harshal Patel (PBKS, BOWL): Despite conceding runs, Patel is currently tied for the most wickets in the IPL with an impressive tally of 20. His wicket-taking prowess makes him a vital weapon for PBKS, even if his economy might be a concern.
Dream 11, Team 1, Small League & H2H
RR Vs PBKS
Wicket-keepers: Jonny Bairstow, Sanju Samson
Batters: Rille Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal
All-rounders: Ravi Ashwin, Sam Curran, Riyan Parag
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzi Chahal
Captain First-Choice: Riyan Parag || Captain Second-Choice: Jonny Bairstow
Vice-captain First-Choice: Rille Rossouw || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Yashasvi Jaiswal
Dream 11, Team 2, Grand League
RR Vs PBKS
Wicket-keepers: Jonny Bairstow, Sanju Samson, Prabhsimran Singh
Batters: Rille Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal
All-rounders: Ravi Ashwin, Sam Curran, Riyan Parag
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Sandeep Sharma
Captain First-Choice: Sanju Samson || Captain Second-Choice: Ravi Ashwin
Vice-captain First-Choice: Sam Curran || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Shashank Singh
Royals Favored Based on Form
Considering their overall form throughout the season, the Rajasthan Royals appear to be the favorites going into this match. Their strong start and consistent performances put them in a better position compared to the struggling Punjab Kings.
However, the game of cricket is full of surprises, and PBKS still has some dangerous players who can turn the tide. The high-humidity conditions might also play a role in the second half, potentially affecting how the bowlers perform.
This match promises to be an exciting encounter, and while RR holds the upper hand, an upset by PBKS cannot be entirely ruled out.
