The Match 66 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 will be taking place in Dharamsala, where the Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be locking horns with the Punjab Kings (PBKS). It is a do-or-die match for both teams. RR is currently sixth in the IPL 2023 points table, having won six of their 13 league matches. The Royals need a win tonight to keep themselves alive in the race to the playoffs.
On the other side, PBKS’ chances of finishing in the top 4 reduced significantly after their defeat against the Delhi Capitals on Wednesday. The Kings are in desperate need of a big win at the HPCA Stadium. Before the IPL 2023 match between the Punjab Kings and the Rajasthan Royals gets underway, Here’s a look at the 3 player matchups which may decide the fate of tonight’s game.
#1 Jitesh Sharma vs Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal has been the top bowler for RR in IPL 2023. RR skipper Sanju Samson has asked Chahal to bowl in the slog overs. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings’ finisher Jitesh Sharma has done his job to perfection in quite a few games. Sharma’s big hits have helped PBKS score 10-15 extra runs in almost every game. In the reverse fixture, Chahal dismissed Jitesh Sharma caught out. Chahal will look forward to dismissing Sharma once again in IPL 2023, whereas the PBKS batter will aim to score big against RR’s best bowler.
#2 Shikhar Dhawan vs Trent Boult
Trent Boult should receive a place in RR’s playing XI tonight as the conditions in Dharamsala help the fast bowlers initially. In the previous games at this venue, Delhi Capitals’ left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed started the innings with a maiden over. RR has one of the world’s best left-arm fast bowlers in Trent Boult.
ALSO READ: Match 66 (PBKS vs RR) – Playing XI And Fantasy XI Predictions
The Kiwi pacer has picked up multiple wickets for his team in the first six overs, but he remained wicketless in the previous match against the PPBKS. Shikhar Dhawan tackled him well in the powerplay. Dhawan remained not out on 86 runs off 56 balls in that contest. All eyes will be on the battle between Dhawan and Boult in the powerplay if the latter plays tonight.
#3 Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Arshdeep Singh
Yashaswi Jaiswal lost his wicket to Arshdeep Singh in the first meeting between RR and PBKS this season. The RR opener looked in good touch as he raced to 11 runs off seven deliveries before Arshdeep dismissed him caught out. Arshdeep’s recent performances have not been up to the mark, whereas Jaiswal is among the top run-scorers of the season at the moment. If Arshdeep dismisses Jaiswal early, PBKS will gain the upper hand in tonight’s match against RR.
