IPL 2022: PBKS vs RR Preview – Punjab aim to keep their campaign alive
The Punjab Kings will be locking horns with the Rajasthan Royals in Match 52 of IPL 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 7. Both teams will be heading into this clash on the back of contrasting results in their previous encounters. While Punjab got the better of the table-toppers Gujarat Titans by eight wickets, Rajasthan were defeated by a struggling Kolkata Knight Riders who snapped their winless run with a seven-wicket win.
For Punjab, the bowlers have been doing a remarkable job on a regular basis since the last few games while the batters have blown hot and cold, especially against Lucknow Super Giants where they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory due to an awkward batting collapse. However, the good thing for PBKS is that opener Shikhar Dhawan had roared back to form and even Liam Livingstone has rediscovered his rhythm.
As for Rajasthan, they only have themselves to blame for having slipped from a position of strength. RR, who occupied the second spot in the points table not too long ago, have slid down after back-to-back defeats and that too against the underperforming sides like the Mumbai Indians and KKR. They would now need to make amends to make the playoffs but more importantly, the Royals must look over Jos Buttler who has been their saviour so far. Apart from the Englishman’s one-man show, only Windies hard-hitter Shimron Hetmyer has been consistent while skipper Sanju Samson has been performing sporadically.
Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI
Punjab Kings
The Punjab Kings will not be interested in making any. With time running out, Punjab must stage a remarkable comeback in the business end of the league stages.
Mayank Agarwal (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma
Rajasthan Royals
The Rajasthan Royals might bring back Karun Nair and bench Daryl Mitchell, who has not been much impressive so far.
Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padiakkal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Karun Nair, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Sen
