Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) witnessed contrasting fortunes last season. However, this season, they will kick-start their IPL 12 campaign against each other at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

With the home advantage, Rajasthan will be raring to start off their season with a winning note. On the other hand, if Chris Gayle managed to continue his international form in IPL, he will single-handedly win the game for Punjab. Apart from him, a lot of fans will be looking forward to the comeback of Steve Smith. But it has also be said that he yet to fully recover from an elbow injury and may not be able to be in the playing XI in the first game itself.

ALSO READ: Match 4 (RR vs KXIP): Probable Fantasy XI

Kings XI, on the other hand, will be heavily reliant on their openers Gayle and KL Rahul. While skipper Ravichandran Ashwin will be spearheading the bowling line-up. With Mohammed Shami, Andrew Tye and Mujeeb Ur Rahman also in their ranks, Punjab’s bowling looks quite balanced on paper.

#5 Varun Chakravarthy

The 27-year-old got his recognition for his leg-breakers in the Tamil Nadu Premier League with impressing the IPL owners. Which made him get a big contract, he was the highest bid this year among all players as he was sold to Kings XI Punjab for 8.4 crores. He will join alongside skipper Ashwin and Afghan spinner Mujeeb-Ur- Rahman as the third spinner of the team. Chakravarthy can start his IPL career as Sawai Man Singh Pitch is friendly to him and should use it perfectly to turn the ball.