IPL 2021: Match Preview, Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals

In the 4th match of IPL 2021, Rajasthan Royals will be facing the same old team with a new name Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Rajasthan Royals will have a moral advantage at this venue as they have a good record at Wankhede Stadium.

Image By: The Cricketer

Match Number: 4th match of IPL 2021.

Match Between: Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PK).

Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Timing: Monday, 12th April 2021, 7:30 PM IST.

Squads: 

Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler(wk), Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson(c), Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Liam Livingstone, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Kartik Tyagi, Mustafizur Rahman, Andrew Tye, Jofra Archer, Mayank Markande, Anuj Rawat, Chetan Sakariya, Kuldip Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, David Miller, Manan Vohra, KC Cariappa, Mahipal Lomror, Akash Singh.

Punjab Kings: KL Rahul(wk/c), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Prabhsimran Singh, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Deepak Hooda, Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Moises Henriques, Chris Jordan, Mandeep Singh, Dawid Malan, Jalaj Saxena, Murugan Ashwin, Sarfaraz Khan, Fabian Allen, Saurabh Kumar, Ishan Porel, Utkarsh Singh, Darshan Nalkande, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar.

Team News:

Rajasthan Royals: Key pace bowler of RR, Jofra Archer would be missing few matches in the beginning due to hand surgery. The playing of Mustafizur Rahman, David Miller, and Andrew Tye has not been confirmed yet by the doctors as they have been in quarantine following the Covid norms. Rajasthan can go with the opening pair of Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson, after which Ben Stokes, Rahul Tewatia, Shivam Dube, and Riyan Parag could support the middle order. With these many great hitters on the team, a lot of fireworks could be seen.

Probable XI: Jos Buttler (wk), Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson (c), Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Liam Livingstone, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Kartik Tyagi.

Punjab Kings: It would be interesting to see who opens for Punjab Kings. If Chris Gayle comes in for the opening, then the world's number one T20 batsman Dawid Malan will have to wait for a chance. Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith could be seen in this match. Punjab Kings' skipper KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal are also the key contenders in this match.

Probable XI: KL Rahul (wk/c), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Riley Meredith, Ravi Bishnoi.

Some Facts:

1. Rajasthan Royals have won 12 matches out of 21 matches facing each other.

2. In the last two seasons Rajasthan Royals were the worst bowling side in the death overs with an economy rate of 11.34 in 2019 and 11.60 in 2020.

3. In the last two seasons, Mohammad Shami has been the third-highest wicket-taker in the death overs after Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah.

4. KL Rahul didn't score quickly in the last season of IPL against RR in both the matches due to which Punjab was unable to put a competitive total.