IPL 2024, Match 27, Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals – Match Preview and result prediction

IPL 2024 is starting to pick up as the game 27thbetween two teams sitting in different halves of the points table – Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, is set to get underway at Punjab’s new home venue in Mullanpur on Saturday (April 13) evening. While the hosts are eighth on the table with just two wins from five contested matches, the travelling RR side lost their first game this season in their previous tie. Here is the match preview and result prediction of the PBKS vs RR tie in IPL 2024.

Match Preview

The home side has gained momentum following star showing in their last two matches. Although they lost to SunRisers Hyderabad in their previous tie narrowly, PBKS proved that they have the right players playing at the right positions, which makesthem thedark horse this season.

While the onus remains on the star overseas all-rounder, Liam Livingstone, who is sidelined with an injury, the crowd will be behind the new hero of the side, Shashank Singh. The right-handed batter has proved his credentials as a finisher this season, having performed stunningly with the bat in the last two games.

However, their underfiring top order will remain a concern against a top-performing side like Rajasthan Royals.

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On the other hand, the Sanju Samson-led RR side doesn’t have much to look into given their run of form this season. In five matches thus far, they have won four, including against Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans.

They have their bases covered, with the sorted batting order, thanks to the in-form openers, Captain coming in at three and their breakthrough batter Riyan Parag. In the bowling department, they have enough firepower in Trent Boult, Kuldeep Sen and their star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal to turn the tables around.

However, with no update on Nandre Burger and Sandeep Sharma’s injury status, RR might go ahead with the India pace duo of Avesh Khan and Kuldeep on the seam-friendly track in Mullanpur.

Rajasthan Royals leads Punjab Kings 15-11 in the head-to-head tally. Also, since 2020, RR has won five of seven matches against PBKS.

Result Prediction –

Despite Rajasthan Royals’ position on the points table and their successful run this season so far, they are likely to struggle against the home side PBKS.

Predicted Playing XIs of both teams –

PBKS - Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel and Kagiso Rabada

RR - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravi Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen and Yuzvendra Chahal