Highlights:
- RR to face PBKS in their first match of IPL 2021 campaign
- Both PBKS and RR would be eyeing for the win giving their start to the campaign a boost
- Check possible playing XIs for the two teams
In the 4th match of the 14th season of the Indian Premier League, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) will face Rajasthan Royals (RR). Both the teams will play their first game of the IPL 2021 campaign and both would want to start it with a win.
A battle among the big-hitters of the tournament, KL Rahul’s Punjab Kings versus Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals, two line-ups dotted with expansive stroke-makers will meet at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday at 7:30 PM (IST).
Rajasthan Royals will be banking heavily on their swashbuckling all-rounder from England, Ben Stokes. Stokes, too, will be keen to get some runs under his belt and will be the likes of Englishman Jos Buttler and newly-appointed skipper Sanju Samson, who is a mine-field of talent.
The Royals could opt to open with the highly-rated Yashasvi Jaiswal and Buttler. While Samson, who would be desperate to prove a point, and Ben Stokes would then form a strong middle-order. If these four fire on all cylinders, they can charge any bowling attack into submission and Punjab would be no exception on the Wankhede track, which is usually batting-friendly.
The last time these two IPL franchises went head to head was in the 50th match of IPL 2020 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on the 30th of October 2020.
PBKS put up a score of 185/4 after 20 overs while the Rajasthan side went on to win the match by scoring 186/3 with 15 balls left in the match.
Chris Gayle played an explosive inning for PBKS, scoring 99 runs in just 63 balls by smashing 8 sixes and 6 boundaries, Lokesh Rahul, captain at the time, scored 44 runs in 41 balls while Nicholas Pooran scored 22 of 10 balls.
Also Read: IPL Facts
For the Royals, their entire lineup fulfilled their roles with Ben Stokes scoring 50 of 26 and Sanju Sampson scoring 48 of 25 balls. Steven Smith and Joes Buttler played an unbeaten inning as they scored 31 of 20 and 22 of 10 balls respectively.
PBKS Vs RR Head To Head
In the history of the Indian Premier League, the two sides have faced each other 21 times. Out of the 21 matches played, KXIP has managed to win 9 while RR went back as the winners 12 times.
Having said this, let us take a closer look at their past 5 meetings
KXIP Vs RR Last 5 Encounters
30th October 2020: Rajasthan Royals won by 7 wickets
29th September 2020: Rajasthan Royals won by 4 wickets
16th April 2019: Kings XI Punjab won by 12 runs
25th March 2019: Kings XI Punjab won by 14 runs
8th May 2018: Rajasthan Royals won by 15 runs
Additional Stats Of KXIP & RR
PBKS highest score against RR: 223
RR highest score against PBKS: 226
Most runs for RR against PBKS: 406 (Sanju Samson)
Most runs for PBKS against RR: 409 (Shaun Marsh)
Most wickets for PBKS: 14 wickets (Piyush Chawla)
Most wickets for RR: 11 wickets (Siddarth Trivedi)
Lowest total defended against RR: 139
Lowest total defended against PBKS: 158
Match Prediction
On paper, there is very little to differentiate between the two teams, both the teams have a powerful bowling and batting team, however, given Rajasthan Royals have won not only last 2 games against PBKS but also 3 out of the last 5 games they would be all charged up to make the consecutive victories to 3.
We predict Rajasthan Royals would emerge victorious in the match against Punjab Kings today at Wankhede Stadium.