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

rr vs pbks Match Prediction & Analysis

We are into the second round of games in the Indian Premier League 2023, and Rajasthan Royals will take on the Punjab Kings in the 8th match. It will be the first IPL game in Guwahati, Rajasthan's second home ground. Both sides have started the season with a win. Rajasthan defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad, while the Punjab Kings won a rain-affected game against Kolkata Knight Riders.  

The Rajasthan Royals have dominated the rivalry in the last three seasons, winning four out of five games. Their top order is in swashbuckling form, increasing the camp's confidence. The Punjab Kings have been inconsistent in the last few seasons, and a win for them would do a world of good to their confidence and help them for the rest of the season.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Rajasthan Royals Preview

Sanju Samson's side did what was expected from them in the last game. They destroyed the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling attack and won the game by 72 runs. The Top 3 played exceptionally in the game and took it away from their opponents in the first few overs. Sampson would like his players to continue in the same mode and win this game.  

Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal are arguably the most destructive opening pair, and they proved that with an 85-run stand in the last game. The side will expect a similar show from them. Samson is the perfect No. 3, and he will look to anchor the innings with Devdutt Padikkal and Riyan Parag. Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jason Holder make it a power-packed batting line-up.  

The bowling attack executed its plans perfectly in the last game, and they will look for a good show with the new ball from Trent Boult and KM Asif. Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Yuzvendra Chahal bowled brilliantly in the middle overs, and the side will expect similar performances from them. Navdeep Saini will look to do well in the supporting role.  

Top Batsman – Jos Buttler     
Top Bowler – Yuzvendra Chahal 

Rajasthan Royals Predicted Playing XI:

Sanju Samson (c & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, KM Asif, Yuzvendra Chahal

Rajasthan Royals Actual Playing XI:

Trent Boult, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Devdutt Padikkal, KM Asif, YS Chahal, Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Riyan Parag

Punjab Kings Preview

Shikhar Dhawan started his captaincy stint with a win. It was a good show from the side with the bat as they put up a big score on the board and defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 runs under the DLS method. It will be a tougher challenge against the Rajasthan Royals, against whom they have struggled in the last three seasons. Dhawan must inspire confidence in the camp to win this game.  

Shikhar Dhawan led from the front against KKR, and he will look to set up a strong platform along with Prabhsimran Singh, who showed his hitting ability. Bhanuka Rajapaksa must use his experience at No. 3 and add runs with Jitesh Starma and Sikandar Raza. The side has power hitters down the order, and they would like to see runs from Sam Curran, Shahrukh Khan, and Nathan Ellis.  

The bowling attack will be under pressure as the Royals have good hitters at the top. Sam Curran and Arshdeep Singh must get their lines right and pick early wickets. Raza and Ellis have an important role in the middle overs. Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, and Rishi Dhawan add variety to the attack, but they need to execute their plans for the side to succeed.  

Top Batsman – Shikhar Dhawan     
Top Bowler – Arshdeep Singh 

Punjab Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Nathan Ellis, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh

Punjab Kings Actual Playing XI:

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Sikandar Raza, Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Prabhsimran Singh, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Jitesh Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, Sam Curran

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We will have slight cloud cover over Guwahati on April 05. There will be some assistance for the bowlers in the early overs. Batsmen must pick their shots to do well, as the bowlers will always have an opportunity. The side batting first would like to have 170 runs on the board to win this game.

Venue Details

Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, is known for having a softer surface, unlike most venues in India. It gives ample opportunity to the fast bowlers. Spinners have to earn their wickets as they don't find as much bargain from the track as other venues. Batsmen who play the waiting game and build their innings do well.

Toss: To Bowl

It is a new venue, and in the few games played here, sides chasing the score have done well. The evening dew makes it challenging to grip the ball, and bowling in the second innings is always tough. Hence, we believe the side winning the toss in this game shall have no hesitation in bowling first.

RR vs PBKS
Winning Prediction

Punjab Kings have started the season with a win and will feel confident. But this will be an acid test against the strongest top order for their bowlers. Their bowlers must get the act right for the side to win this game. The Rajasthan Royals made a strong statement with their win in the last game. They have a dominating batting line-up, and playing at their second home ground, they start favorites.

Rajasthan Royals to win

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