The 8th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 will be played between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Rajasthan Royals are currently placed at the top of the points table of this season of IPL whereas Lucknow Super Kings is currently placed in fifth place on the points table.
The Royals played one match in this season against Sunrisers Hyderabad and managed to win the game by 72 runs. Sanju Samson smashed 55 runs while Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal stacked 54 runs each for Rajasthan Royals in that game. On the other hand, Punjab Kings played their last game against Kolkata Knight Riders and they won that game by 7 runs.
Bhanuka Rajapkashe added 50 runs while Arshdeep Singh picked up 3 wickets for Punjab Kings in that game. These two teams have played 24 matches against each other in the history of IPL, where Rajasthan Royals won 14 matches while Punjab Kings managed to win 10 games. Another exciting contest is anticipated here between these two sides.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Tactics & Match-ups: The Royals’ top-three of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson have close to 1200 runs between them against the Kings, including seven fifties as well as a century for the RR skipper. Meanwhile, Buttler, Samson and Shimron Hetmyer have handled left-arm pace well, with all three averaging 40-plus and having strike rates hovering around the 160 mark. They will also bank on Yuzvendra Chahal, who has fared well against right-handers, to match-up against the likes of Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma and Shahrukh Khan.
Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson(c/wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, KM Asif, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Impact players: Dhruv Jurel, Sandeep Sharma, Kuldeep Sen, Murugan Ashwin and Donovan Ferreira
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Tactics & Match-ups: The left-arm variety – both spin and pace – has troubled Jaiswal in the past and PBKS have enough left-armers in the bowling line-up. Meanwhile, Buttler’s struggles against leg spin could prompt PBKS to introduce Rahul Chahar early.
Probable XI: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sikandar Raza, Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh.
Impact players: Rishi Dhawan, Harpreet Singh, Mohit Rathee, Atharva Taide and Sikandar Raza
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Jos Butler (c), Sanju Samson, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shikhar Dhawan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sam Curran (vc), Sikandar Raza, Jason Holder, Arshdeep Singh, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Jos Buttler (c), Sanju Samson, Shikhar Dhawan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Riyan Parag, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Arshdeep Singh
