April 5, 2023
After a dominant start to their IPL 2023 campaign, Rajasthan Royals (RR) are geared up to host Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their second match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on April 5. In this blog, we will look at the team news, key players, and probable best performers ahead of the match.
Rajasthan Royals began their campaign with a resounding victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Punjab Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in their opening match. RR will be looking to continue their winning momentum and maintain their position at the top of the points table.
Jos Buttler is expected to play a pivotal role in the batting line-up for Rajasthan Royals. The hard-hitting opener smashed 54 runs off 22 balls in the previous match and will be aiming to continue his form against PBKS. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson also scored half-centuries in the previous match and will be looking to make a significant impact in this encounter.
For PBKS, Shikhar Dhawan and Bhanuka Rajapaksa will be the key players in the batting department. Both players provided a solid start in the previous match against KKR. Youngster Arshdeep Singh was sensational with the ball and will be looking to replicate his performance against Rajasthan Royals.
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, KM Asif, Yuzvendra Chahal
Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Liam Livingstone, Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh
The pitch at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium is expected to be a batsman’s paradise, with high-scoring encounters likely. The team winning the toss is expected to bowl first since dew can play a role later in the game. A total of 200 or more will be challenging for the team batting second.
Jos Buttler is a formidable batsman in the shortest format of the game. He was the leading run-scorer for Rajasthan Royals last year and is expected to make a significant impact this year as well. Buttler will be keen to provide a solid start to his team and score runs at a quick pace.
Sam Curran is a versatile all-rounder and a vital cog in the Punjab Kings’ team. He has the ability to swing the ball both ways and can trouble the best of the batsmen. Curran can also score quick runs lower down the order, making him an indispensable member of the team.
The match between Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings promises to be a high-scoring encounter, with both teams possessing strong batting line-ups. The team that can perform better in all three departments is likely to come out on top. With star players on both sides, the match is expected to be a thriller and is not to be missed in IPL Betting 2023.
