IPL 2024, PBKS vs RR: Decoding the key player battles
Match 27 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) sees the battle between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals. RR have been sensational this season, winning four of their five games. They are arguably the most balanced team in the competition. Meanwhile, PBKS have just two wins and three defeats. Batting has been their key strength. Here we decode the key player battles.
Shikhar Dhawan vs Trent Boult
As both Trent Boult and Shikhar Dhawan open the proceedings in their respective departments, they are bound to tackle each other. Across 12 IPL meetings, Boult has dismissed Dhawan once. The batter, however, has accumulated just 86 runs off 77 deliveries in this battle. Boult's tally of 46 powerplay wickets in the IPL is the most for any bowler since 2020.
Shashank Singh vs Yuzvendra Chahal
The uncapped Shashank Singh played fiery cameos in his last two outings. Yuzvendra Chahal, who operates in the middle and death overs, would want to keep him quiet. As per ESPNcricinfo, the PBKS dasher has a strike rate of 157.14 against spinners this season. Chahal is RR's leading wicket-taker this year with 10 scalps. His economy rate reads 7.33.
Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Arshdeep Singh
The swashbuckling Yashasvi Jaiswal has been woefully out of touch in IPL 2024 as he is yet to touch the 25-run mark. The southpaw would tackle Arshdeep Singh in the powerplay overs. Across four IPL meetings, Arshdeep has dismissed Jaiswal twice, conceding just 15 runs off as many balls. The left-arm pacer owns four powerplay wickets this season, conceding runs at 7.5.
Sanju Samson vs Kagiso Rabada
RR skipper Sanju Samson has led the team from the front, recording three fifties in his first five outings. The star wicketkeeper-batter can have a face-off with Kagiso Rabada in the upcoming contest. Although Samson has fallen prey to the speedster once across three IPL meetings, he has a strike rate of 152.94 in this battle. Meanwhile, Rabada has claimed seven wickets this season.
Key details about the match
Chandigarh's Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium will host this duel on April 13. PBKS have been a part of a couple of high-scoring games at this venue. The batters got great value for their shots, though there has been assistance for pacers early on. One can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network and stream the same on JioCinema (7:30pm IST).
