Rajasthan Royals versus Punjab Kings, A battle between the two Underachievers. Yeah, the two teams haven’t done anything impressive in the IPL tournament so far. Except that, Rajasthan Royals had won the opening tournament before.
It isn’t like both the team lacks talent.
From, Nicholas Pooran to Rahul Tevatia, they have young talents in their team.
But will it be enough?
Moreover, it will be interesting to see which team does well in the opening game.
Rajasthan Royals versus Punjab Kings Preview
Leaving everything that has happened in the past, Rajasthan will try to start afresh with their new captain Sanju Samson.
Even though, his lack of experience may cost them at the later stage of the tournament.
Not only that, but Rajasthan also needs to prove the worth of their most expensive acquisition of South African bowling all-rounder Chris Morris.
In case you don’t know,
Chris Morris was sold at the pricing of 16.24 CR at the IPL auction that took place in 2021.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings dropped their explosive batsman Glenn Maxwell who was later bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Even though he scored many fours and sixes in his opening game for RCB in IPL 14.
Punjab was right in their decision as Glenn Maxwell had failed to make his mark for the Punjab team.
Despite him gone, Punjab still has many fireworks In the form of:
✅Captain KL Rahul
✅Nicholas Pooran
✅Chris Gayle
✅Moises Henriques
Rajasthan Louis vs. Punjab Kings Playing 11 Prediction
RAJASTHAN ROYALS
Top Order
Last year Rajasthan experimented with their top border as one of the world’s dangerous All-Rounders Ben Stokes had to open the innings.
However, instead of few occasions, the plan didn’t go well for them.
So, this year, instead of him, I would like to see Captain Sanju Samson open the inning with any uncapped Indian player.
It can be either:
✅Manan Vohra or
✅Riyan Parag.
Middle Order
After the middle order Fiasco, Ben Stokes is best for the 3rd position just as he’s for his National Cricket Team England in the limited over series.
After stokes, Jos Butler at four.
Then either Riyan Parag or Yashasvi Jaiswal at the fifth position
All Rounders
After Yashasvi Jaiswal their explosive all-rounder…
✅Rahul Tevatia
✅Chris Morris
✅Shivam Dubey
…are best options to Play at the positions 6, 7, and 8 respectively.
Bowlers
In the bowling department, Rajasthan had some setbacks as their Frontline bowler Jofra archer will miss out on the first four games because of him undergoing finger surgery happened during Ind vs ENG limited over series.
As per the IPL Schedule, you can expect him to be back against KKR or Mumbai.
So in his absence, Jaydev Unadkat, Mustafizur Rahman, and Andrey Tye would’ve to take the fight to the batting line-up of Punjab Kings.
Here, I am expecting…
✅Jaydev Unadkat
✅Mustafizur Rahman and
✅Kartik Tyagi
…to play at the 9th, 10th, and 11th positions.
PUNJAB KINGS PLAYING XI
Top Order
There are 3 contenders to play at the top order:
✅KL Rahul
✅Mayank Agarwal
✅Chris Gayle
But just like the previous year, you might see KL Rahul open the innings for Punjab with Mayank Agarwal.
Middle Order
To balance out the middle order, as usual, Chris Gayle will Bat at the 3rd position then Nicholas Pooran at 4 Moises Henriques at 5th
All Rounders
Even though Moises Henriques is also an all-rounder but he has earned it with his performance in other cricket leagues.
That’s why he provides a place in the middle order.
All Rounders
Now talking about all-rounders, Punjab Kings will include…
✅Deepak Hooda
✅Shahrukh Khan and
✅Saurabh Kumar
…as all-rounders at the 6th, 7th, and 8th positions.
Just like Chris Morris,
Punjab Kings will have to prove the worth of their biggest acquisition of IPL 14 auction – JHYE RICHARDSON.
So I would be eager to see him do well for Punjab Kings at the 9th position. Then following him, Mohammed Shami and M. Ashwin will play at the 10th and 11th positions.
Final Thoughts
I hope this year Chris Morris will justify his place in the team.
Just like him, Jhye Richardson would be eager to make an impressive debut in the IPL 14.
That is all for now.
What do you think of the match between Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings?
Who will win their opening match of IPL 2021?
Do share your thoughts on this via the comment section given below.
