Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be hosting Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their first home game of the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, April 5. RR kicked off their campaign with a dominating win against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 72 runs on Sunday, April 2. The likes of Jos Buttler (54), Yashasvi Jaiswal (54), and Sanju Samson (55) impressed with the bat, hitting fine half-centuries.
Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal starred with the ball, as he scalped a brilliant four-wicket haul to help his side comfortably defend the 204-run target. PBKS also clinched victory in their first match. They registered a competitive total of 191 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), owing to valuable contributions from Bhanuka Rajapaksa (50) and Shikhar Dhawan (40). Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers for Punjab, bagging three scalps.
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The side ultimately secured a seven-run win by the DLS method in the rain-hit game. RR is placed second in the points table with a net run rate of 3.600. PBKS, on the other hand, has a net run rate of 0.438 and occupies the fifth spot. The contest between RR and PBKS promises to be an enthralling one as both sides are expected to go all guns blazing in an attempt to secure their second win of the season.
On that note, We take a look at three match-ups that could have a major impact on the game:
#3 Jos Buttler vs Arshdeep Singh
England’s wicket-keeper batter Jos Buttler has played a crucial role in RR reaching the final in 2022. The swashbuckler aggregated 863 runs in 17 innings, taking home the Orange Cap, and finishing as the leading run-scorer. The opener gave a stern warning to the other teams with his scintillating fifty against SRH. However, PBKS has a potent bowling attack that could make things difficult for him, especially Arshdeep Singh.
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The Southpaw fast bowler has got the better of several top batters with his ability to swing the new ball both ways. He is expected to test Buttler early on with the new ball with his sharp inswingers. The contest between Buttler and Arshdeep will be key as both the teams will be keen to get off to a good start in the power play.
#2 Trent Boult vs Shikhar Dhawan
RR’s fast bowling spearhead Trent Boult did a phenomenal job in the first game against SRH. The senior pacer bowled a fiery spell upfront, dismissing SRH’s top order batters Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Tripathi for ducks. Boult swung the ball both ways at an impressive pace and looked to be in a great rhythm.
RR will rely on the seamer to send PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan back to the pavilion early. Dhawan played a sensible knock against KKR, scoring 40 off 29 balls. The southpaw will back himself to see off Boult’s new ball spell and ensure PBKS doesn’t lose early wickets.
#1 Sanju Samson vs Sam Curran
RR skipper, Sanju Samson played some breathtaking strokes against SRH as he amassed a fiery fifty. His batting exploits will be key for the side in their forthcoming clash as well. The keeper-batter’s contest with PBKS all-rounder Sam Curran will be a delight to watch for fans. Curran conceded 38 runs from three overs and only got one wicket in his first appearance in IPL 2023. However, PBKS’s marquee signing proved his worth as a bowler during the T20 World Cup last year, scalping 13 wickets in six innings.
