Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2023, Today Match Prediction

pbks vs rr Match Prediction & Analysis

The Punjab Kings will be up against the Rajasthan Royals in the 66th game of the Indian Premier League 2023. Technically, both teams can qualify for the next round, and this game will have high stakes. The Kings lost their last game against the Delhi Capitals. The Rajasthan Royals have hit a rough patch, and they come here after a loss against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.  

With the stakes high for both teams, expect this contest to go down the wire. The Rajasthan Royals have lost the last four out of five games. Their batsmen have failed in the last two games, and there will be pressure on the side. The two sides have played once earlier, where the Punjab Kings had won.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Punjab Kings Preview

Shikhar Dhawan's side went down against the Delhi Capitals by 15 runs in the last game. They bowled poorly in the game and paid the price. As they play their last game, they will need a massive win to finish with 14 points and improve their run rate. They have the firepower with the bat, and Dhawan would like to see a better show from his bowlers.  

Prabhsimran Singh and Shikhar Dhawan must deliver a good start as they will face a good bowling attack. Liam Livingstone has hit form, which is welcome news for the team, and he will look to add quick runs with Athrava Taide and Jitesh Sharma in this game. They need a good show from Shahrukh Khan and Sam Curran in the lower middle order to improve their prospects.  

Sam Curran and Kagiso Rabada are experienced bowlers and will get assistance from this track. The side will look for early wickets from the pair. Arshdeep Singh and Nathan Ellis had a poor outing in the last game, and they need to deliver a better performance here. Rahul Chahar and Harpreet Brar must do well in the supporting role for the side to win.   

Top Batsman – Shikhar Dhawan     
Top Bowler – Kagiso Rabada

Punjab Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Shikhar Dhawan (c), Atharva Taide, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sam Curran, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh (Impact Player)

Punjab Kings Actual Playing XI:

Arshdeep Singh, Atharva Taide, Prabhsimran Singh, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Jitesh Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Shikhar Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran

Rajasthan Royals Preview

Sanju Samson's side has won only once in the last five games. Their loss of form at this crucial stage is hurting the side. It has been big losses for them in the last two games, and they went down against Royal Challengers Bangalore by 112 runs. They will need a massive win here and hope a few other results will go in their favor for a berth in the playoffs.  

The famed batting line-up has failed in the last two games, and they need a solid start from Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have made more than 900 runs. Samson has to lead the way in the middle with Joe Root and Devdutt Padikkal. Shimron Hetmyer has made runs lower down the order and must play an important role with Dhruv Jurel and Ravichandran Ashwin.  

The bowling attack must stand tall in this game to seal a big win, and they will need hood spells with the new ball from Sandeep Sharma and Trent Boult. Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal are doing well and must deliver the goods here. The side will also expect a good show from Adam Zampa and Joe Root in the supporting role.  

Top Batsman – Yashasvi Jaiswal     
Top Bowler – Yuzvendra Chahal 

Rajasthan Royals Predicted Playing XI:

Sanju Samson (c & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Joe Root, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Adam Zampa, Sandeep Sharma, Devdutt Padikkal, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult (Impact Player)

Rajasthan Royals Actual Playing XI:

Trent Boult, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Adam Zampa, Devdutt Padikkal, Navdeep Saini, YS Chahal, Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, S Sharma, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There will be clear skies over Dharamshala, and we will see excellent batting conditions as we had seen in the last game. There is little margin of error for the bowlers on this track as batsmen can play their strokes freely. The side batting first will be happy with 180 runs on the board.

Venue Details

HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala, does offer something for the fast bowlers. The ball moves here, and it can create doubts among the batsmen. However, stroke players have done well due to the smaller size of the ground. Spinners have to bowl tight lines, as the ball doesn't turn here as much on other tracks in the country.

Toss: To Bowl

We saw a flat surface in the last game. Batting first and defending a score would be a massive challenge on this track, given the way the ball is flying off the bat. The side winning the toss wouldn't hesitate to bowl first on this surface.

PBKS vs RR
Winning Prediction

Punjab Kings' lack of strength in the bowling attack has hurt them in several games. The side must come up with an excellent show with the ball to prevent the Rajasthan Royals’ batters from running away with the game. Despite the dip in form, RR batsmen have been in excellent form. RR’s batting firepower would put them slightly ahead of Punjab Kings in this contest.

Rajasthan Royals to win

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