Mullanpur, (UNI) Despite the statistical advantage, the Rajasthan Royals may have held in the head-to-head encounters since 2019, the Punjab Kings are determined to turn Saturday’s match in their favour which they have done previously.
Punjab, so far, have won two out of five matches and narrowly missed out on the others. In the recent encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad, although the result didn’t go in their favour, there were many encouraging performances from the Punjab side.
Players like Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, affectionately known as the ‘Smash Bros’, showcased their grit and determination in pursuit of the target. Their efforts, alongside standout performances from bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curran, and Harshal Patel, demonstrated the collective effort of their team.
Despite facing adversity with a shaky start in the batting innings, the partnership between Sam Curran and Sikandar Raza injected hope into Punjab’s chase. Even after their departure, the resilience shown by Shashank and Ashutosh, particularly in their spirited attempt to score 29 runs in the final over, exemplified the fighting spirit of Punjab.
However, facing Rajasthan is undoubtedly a daunting task, given their strong performances in this year’s IPL so far. Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, and Jos Buttler have been instrumental in their batting lineup, consistently delivering match-winning performances.
Additionally, their formidable bowling attack, led by Trent Boult, Nandre Burger, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Yuzvendra Chahal, poses a significant challenge to any opposition.
The rivalry between Rajasthan and Punjab has been filled with thrilling moments and closely contested matches since 2019. With Rajasthan securing victory in 5 encounters and Punjab triumphing in 4, each match has been a battle of wills, often coming down to the final over.
Unforgettable moments such as Rahul Tewatia’s heroics and Ashwin’s memorable run-out of Jos Buttler have added to the drama of these clashes.
In 2021, Kartik Tyagi’s exceptional performance for Rajasthan saw him defend 4 runs in the final over, clinching victory for his side. However, in another memorable clash, Punjab posted a formidable total of 221 runs, courtesy of stellar contributions from KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda.
Punjab bowler, Arshdeep Singh, displayed nerves of steel, defending 13 runs in the final over to secure a hard-fought victory by 4 runs. Despite a majestic innings from Samson, who scored a remarkable 119 runs, it was the determination that ultimately prevailed.
In 2022, the brilliance of Yashasvi Jaiswal propelled Rajasthan to victory in the lone match between the two sides that year. The stage is set for yet another thrilling encounter between us, promising fans an evening filled with excitement and anticipation.
Teams
Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (c), Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, Kunal Singh Rathore, Ravichandran Ashwin, Donovan Ferreira, Abid Mushtaq, Avesh Khan, Trent Boult, Nandre Burger, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini, Sandeep Sharma, Kuldeep Sen, Tanush Kotian, Keshav Maharaj
Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Jonny Bairstow, Harpreet Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Jitesh Sharma, Sam Curran, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Ashutosh Sharma, Shashank Singh, Shivam Singh, Sikandar Raza, Atharva Taide, Chris Woakes, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar, Nathan Ellis, Harpreet Brar, Vidwath Kaverappa, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Tanay Thyagarajan, Prince Choudhary, Vishwanath Singh.
