Fast bowlers in focus as Royals look to return to winning ways

Match details

Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Mullanpur, 7.30pm IST (2pm GMT)

Big Picture – Pace the way to go in Mullanpur?

Among all the venues so far in IPL 2024, Mullanpur has the best average for fast bowlers (19.7) and the lowest run rate (7.7) in the powerplay. Nine wickets have fallen in the first six overs here in two games, joint second with Mumbai. Only Jaipur has seen more wickets fall in the powerplay this season, but four games have already been played there.

Will this concern Rajasthan Royals, who are coming into the game having just been beaten for the first time in IPL 2024 on Wednesday? Nope. On the contrary, they might be the happier side. The Royals’ quicks have picked up nine wickets in the powerplay at an average of 24.3, the best among any team in the tournament. Kings are also not too far behind averaging 26.6 runs per wicket in the powerplay and that could make for an interesting battle up top.

The other thing Royals will need to be wary of is not letting history repeat itself. They had a great start to their IPL 2023 losing just one of their first five games and a playoff spot seemed imminent. But, they won just three of their next nine matches and failed to qualify for the knockouts. In IPL 2024, they’ve again lost one and won four of the first five games, but this time will hope to right their wrongs of last season.

Form guide

Punjab Kings: LWLLW (IPL 2024; most recent matches first)
Rajasthan Royals: LWWWW

Team news and Impact Player Strategy

Punjab Kings

With Liam Livingstone unfit, Kings went with an unchanged line-up in their last game against SRH. Fast bowling coach Charl Langeveldt didn’t shed much light on Livingstone’s availability stating that they “will make a decision tomorrow”. If fit, he could replace Sikandar Raza in the XII.

Kings have been consistent in subbing out Arshdeep Singh for Prabhsimran Singh or Ashutosh Sharma and vice-versa and that is likely to remain unchanged.

Likely XII: 1 Shikhar Dhawan (capt), 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 Prabhsimran Singh, 4 Sam Curran, 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Shashank Singh, 7 Sikandar Raza, 8 Ashutosh Sharma, 9 Harpreet Brar, 10 Harshal Patel, 11 Kagiso Rabada, 12 Arshdeep Singh

Rajasthan Royals

Nandre Burger was out injured in Royals’ previous game against Gujarat Titans, while Trent Boult bowled just two overs and was not brought back in the death. While that could just be down to match-ups, Boult’s fitness will also be one to watch out for. Royals had brought in Keshav Maharaj as an Impact sub for Yashasvi Jaiswal in the previous match, but that is likely to change considering the surface in Mullanpur has more in it for the fast bowlers.

If Royals bat first, Jaiswal could start and be subbed later for one of the fast bowlers or vice-versa. Kuldeep Sen is likely to keep his place after a good showing in the previous game. If Burger is fit, he is likely to walk back into the XII and be one of the Impact Player options.

Likely XII: 1 Jos Buttler, 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Sanju Samson (capt & wk), 4 Riyan Parag, 5 Dhruv Jurel, 6 Shimron Hetmyer, 7 R Ashwin, 8 Trent Boult, 9 Avesh Khan, 10 Nandre Burger, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal, 12 Kuldeep Sen

In the spotlight – Shashank Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal

Stats that matter

Pitch and conditions

The surface in Mullanpur has aided pace, bounce and carry and that’s likely to remain unchanged come Saturday. The temperature is expected to be in the mid-30s in the afternoon but is likely to drop down to mid-20s by the time play will get underway. There is also likely to be a 90% cloud cover and some chances of rain.

Quotes

“We want him to take wickets for us. The other night he started well. His mindset is very positive, he is a wicket-taker for us. He has hit the intensity and I will not be worried about it.”
Kings bowling coach Charl Langeveldt isn’t worried about Rabada’s lack of wickets