Punjab Kings would be commencing their IPL campaign with a changed name and logo hoping for a change in fate. They have always been a very promising team in starting their campaign in IPL. But last year it was not destined for a perfect start to their journey in IPL. They lost six of their first seven games but made a resounding comeback in the end part of the tournament by winning five games on the trot. They however couldn’t make it to the playoffs of that edition.
Rajasthan Royals also had some kind of similar fate as that of Punjab Kings when we talk about IPL. They had a flop show in last year’s IPL as their big names couldn’t perform when it mattered the most. Though they found some new heroes in Rahul Tewatia and Riyan Parag, they still couldn’t make it to the playoffs of that season.
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Both teams this time are enriched with some new recruits with Rajasthan opting for their and IPL’s on the whole biggest bid ever Chris Morris and Punjab went with the likes of David Malan and Moises Henriques. The franchises would be hoping for a collective team effort from the players so as to start their campaign on a positive note.
Here are the 3 players to watch out for from the game:
#3 Rahul Tewatia
Rahul Tewatia garnered the limelight last season with some exciting stroke play. He played some glorious innings throughout the season which was appreciated by many. His all-round performance last season helped him earn a maiden India call-up for The England series. His five sixes in an over of Sheldon Cottrell earned last season earned him great accolades all over the cricketing fraternity.
Tewatia scored 255 runs and even picked up 10 wickets during that season. Also, he has been in brilliant form off late in the domestic season with his splendid all-rounder skills. RR would be hoping a repeat of last year’s performance from Rahul Tewatia so as to get their campaign a rollicking start.
#2 Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson is one of the most promising wicket-keeper batsmen of this generation in India. He has been in absolutely top-notch form for years now which has helped him earn Indian team call-ups several times. RR realizing his potential handed him the leadership of the franchise. Sanju has been leading Kerala for quite some time now so leadership won’t appear a new horse for him while leading the Rajasthan team.
Samson played a fine role last year also as he amassed 375 runs at a strike rate of 158 in that season. He also looked in solid touch in the recently concluded domestic season for Kerala.
RR would be hoping for a repeat of 2008 under Sanju’s leadership when they last lifted the IPL trophy.
#1 Lokesh Rahul
Lokesh Rahul is arguably among the most talented cricketers in this cricketing world. He has been absolutely ruthless for the past two seasons for Punjab Kings. He was even the orange cap holder for Punjab last season as he amassed over 600 runs in that edition. He was handed the reins of the captaincy of the Punjab franchise last year, though the Punjab team were unable to make it to the playoffs of that edition.
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Punjab will be hoping that Rahul carries his last year’s form of IPL this season also so as to help the PBKS franchise lift the IPL trophy for the first time ever. His recent form in the just-concluded ODI series against England has sent positive signals to the fans of the franchise that this season could be their time to lift the trophy of IPL.
