RR vs PBKS is the eighth fixture in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) season. The Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals (RR) will host Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Barsapara Stadium – one of RR’s three home venues this season. PBKS, led by Shikhar Dhawan, will hope to pick up maximum points in its first away outing this campaign.
Team Analysis | RR & PBKS
RR has some of the finest T20 big-hitters in the 25-member squad. Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, etc., are hard to stop once they get going. Also, Joe Root and youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Donvan Fereira are quality batters. Buttler has scored four half-centuries in 11 innings against PBKS. The RR captain, too, has an excellent record against the Mohali-based franchise.
PBKS batters have a tough challenge on Wednesday. The inaugural IPL winners have arguably the best bowling line-up in IPL this season. With Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Navdeep Saini, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Adam Zampa on their roster, RR has too much depth in the bowling department.
RR Player List
Here’s the RR squad to face PBKS:
- Sanju Samson (captain)
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Navdeep Saini
- Obed McCoy
- Jason Holder
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Jos Buttler
- Donovan Ferreira
- Joe Root
- Murugan Ashwin
- Sandeep Sharma
- Adam Zampa
- Dhruv Jurel
- Kuldip Yadav
- KC Cariappa
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Abdul P A
- K M Asif
- Kunal Rathore
- Kuldeep Sen
- Riyan Parag
- Akash Vashisht
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Trent Boult
Despite missing Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone, PBKS batters had a good outing in the franchise’s opening match of the new season. Bhanuka Rajapaksa struck a quickfire half-century, while there were excellent contributions from Shikhar Dhawan, Sam Curran, and Jitesh Sharma. Livingstone is likely to return and could feature in the playing 11 instead of Sikandar Raza.
South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada, who missed the PBKS’ opening match, is expected to be available for selection. He could replace Nathan Ellis. Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curran, and Rishi Dhawan will be the other pace bowlers in the squad. Also, Rahul Chahar and Harpreet Brar will likely retain their place in the starting 11.
PBKS Player List
The PBKS players list for the RR match:
- Shikhar Dhawan (captain)
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa
- Raj Angad Bawa
- Liam Livingstone
- Baltej Dhanda
- Shahrukh Khan
- Atharva Taide
- Shivam Singh
- Harpreet Bhatia
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jitesh Sharma
- Mohit Rathee
- Rishi Dhawan
- Vidwath Kaverappa
- Matthew Short
- Rahul Chahar
- Harpreet Brar
- Sikandar Raza
- Sam Curran
- Kagiso Rabada
- Nathan Ellis
IPL Stats: RR vs. PBKS
- Most Runs: Jos Buttler – 683 (RR); Shikhar Dhawan – 460 (PBKS)
- Highest Wickets: Yuzvendra Chahal – 27 (RR); Kagiso Rabada – 23 (PBKS)
- Most Sixes: Jos Buttler – 45 (RR); Liam Livingstone – 34 (PBKS)
Head-to-Head: RR vs PBKS
In the 24 matches between RR and PBKS, the former has won 14 times, while the latter grabbed ten victories. RR eased to a six-wicket win over PBKS in the latest meeting between the two franchises.
Final Thoughts on RR vs PBKS Match
RR vs PBKS match promises to be a high-scoring encounter. Fans could see some explosive batting from the likes of Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Sanju Samson, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Last season’s runner-up is likely to pick up two points in Guwahati on Wednesday.
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