Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals face off in their final league match of IPL 2023 for the second time this season. To prevent this from becoming their final match of the season, a win is necessary and then hope the other results go away. in their favor to confirm a playoff spot.
Losses in their respective previous matches have pushed them to the brink of elimination. PBKS lost to Delhi Capitals thanks to a poor bowling strategy, while RR’s batting failed spectacularly against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
What: PBKS vs RR
When: May 19 (Friday)
Where: HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
Time: Indian time at 7:30 pm
PBKS Team News
The season has turned out to be a familiar tale for perennial under-performers Punjab Kings, who once again could not seize the crucial moments at the business end of the tournament.
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The pace department has been guilty of conceding too many runs in both the powerplay and death overs. With players like Kagiso Rabada, Sam Curran and Arshdeep Singh conceding close to 10 runs per over, the team is bound to feel the pressure.
While Rabada has not been at his best, Arshdeep was expected not to be used in the powerplay and death overs here on Wednesday night. The fast bowler bowled maximum yorkers in the death overs and troubled the opening batsmen with his swing.
The left-arm seamer has been out of whack after a consistent performance in the first half of the tournament and will look to raise his game in a must-win contest.
Shikhar Dhawan’s use of left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar in the 20th over against Delhi Capitals backfired and effectively made the difference in the game.
On the batting front, Dhawan too has not been able to get going in the last two matches and would like to lead from the front.
rr team news
Rajasthan Royals, who had seen the team on a losing streak in the first half of the IPL with four wins from their first five matches, have only themselves in for their own troubles.
Despite exemplary performances from the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Yuzvendra Chahal, the star-studded outfit has flattered to deceive.
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Jos Buttler has also played some sensational innings but he hasn’t been consistent enough. After being dismissed without scoring in the last two matches, the England batsmen will be desperate to do well in the do-or-die game.
Captain Sanju Samson is ready to face the bowlers in any situation and he will continue to play the risky game.
Given the depth of their squad, Rajasthan were among the pre-tournament favourites, who have been too hot and cold for their liking.
full squad
Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Joe Root, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal , KC Cariappa, Jason Holder, Donovan Ferreira, Kunal Rathour, Adam Zampa, KM Asif, Murugan Ashwin, Akash Vashisht and Abdul PA
Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shahrukh Khan, Matthew Short, Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Arshdeep Singh, Baltej Singh, Nathan Ellis, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa, Mohit Rathee, Shivam Singh