IPL 2024: Predicting Punjab Kings’ Playing XI for their clash against Rajasthan Royals

The stage is set for a high-octane clash in the 23rd match of the ongoing IPL as the Punjab Kings will take on the Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. The Rajasthan Royals have been in-form, boasting 4 wins from 5 games while the Punjab Kings have struggled as they have managed just 2 victories so far. From a narrow defeat to SRH, PBKS will be desperate to get their campaign back on track. Here, we look at their probable XI for the clash against Sanju Samson and Co.

Shikhar Dhawan

At the top of the order will be the team’s captain, Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan has a couple of starts but has not looked at his best this season. However, the bigger problem is his strike rate of 125.62, which is unacceptable today. Dhawan will be looking to produce better returns against the Royals.

Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow had a poor run in the Tests vs India and he has not been able to produce better returns in the IPL. The hard-hitting Englishman has produced only 81 runs so far this season and while there have been plenty of calls for him to be dropped, there is a chance that he will get one more opportunity.

Prabhsimran Singh

Prabhsimran has also not been amongst the runs and hence, Punjab Kings’ top order has been extremely fragile. However, he is likely to retain his position thanks to the potential that he has. Pressure will be mounting on him and thus, an impact innings vs Rajasthan will be of paramount importance.

Sam Curran

While he has scored only 120 runs in 5 innings, Sam Curran’s move to the middle-order seems like a good one as he has shown a lot of promise and solidity to become a long-term option for the role. However, the Kings will hope for him to strike at a better rate than his current figure of 126.32.

Sikandar Raza

He has played only two games so far in IPL 2024 and will thus get more opportunities. Raza hasn’t made an impact till now but with the kind of form that he’s been in of late, it will be difficult to keep him silent for too long.

Shashank Singh

Shashank Singh has been a huge revelation in this year’s season. He has been arguably the best player as far as the Kings are concerned. Opponents are now looking at him as a really dangerous man who can snatch games away in just a few deliveries. It is vital for the Kings that Shashank stays in good form for the rest of their games.

Jitesh Sharma

Coming into this season, Jitesh Sharma was one of the front-runners to claim the wicketkeeper-batsman’s position in India’s T20 World Cup side. However, that has changed now as he has been in poor form. He has scored just 77 runs in 5 innings and has not been able to finish games as he has been expected to. Time is running out for him as far as World Cup ambitions are concerned and hence, he badly needs a big score or an impactful innings under his belt.

Ashutosh Sharma

Ashutosh Sharma is another man who has made a name for himself in quick time. His brilliant cameo against the Gujarat Titans helped Punjab win a game that was long lost. Then in the next game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, he proved that the knock was not a fluke as he took Punjab within touching distance of another win, only to fall short eventually. Sharma is now a crucial member of the Kings’ lineup.

Harpreet Brar

Harpreet Brar had a tough outing in the previous game against the Sunrisers but overall, he has been phenomenal this season. He has kept things simple but batters have found it extremely tough to handle him. Punjab will hope for more of the same from the talented bowling all-rounder.

Kagiso Rabada

In the previous game, Kagiso Rabada was handed the new ball after a long time and he was able to extract some movement to confuse the batters. He is still far from his best but given the skills that he has, a stellar show might just be around the corner.

Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel has been overwhelmingly expensive this season, leaking runs at an alarming rate. He was a touch better in the previous game against the Sunrisers but it remains to be seen if he can produce another similar show.

Impact Substitute: Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh will be the impact player, alongside Prabhsimran Singh, depending on whether Punjab bats or bowls first. Singh had a good outing in the Kings’ last encounter as he claimed a four-wicket haul. However, he was a touch expensive in his final over and thus, there is a lot of scope for improvement.

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