PBKS vs RR Preview – Punjab, Rajasthan clash in a virtual knockout game
Punjab Kings will host last year’s losing finalists Rajasthan Royals in a do-or-die clash for both sides at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. The victual knockout game will take place on May 19, with both sides needing a victory to keep themselves alive.
Shikhar Dhawan’s Punjab Kings were on the receiving end of a massive upset after bottom dwellers Delhi Capitals pulled off a shock result in their last outing, landing a big blow to their playoff aspirations. The Punjab-based outfit were clueless against the Delhi batters. They conceded a mammoth total, which they failed to chase despite Liam Livingstone’s late heroics.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan were one of the favourites to qualify for the knockout stages after a strong start to the tournament. However, they are on the verge of getting knocked out of the competition. They lost four of their last five matches, with their latest being a chastening defeat against fellow contenders Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Pitch and conditions
The last match at this venue turned out to be an absolute run-fest. The bowlers took a hiding on a batting paradise. The team winning the toss would be inclined to bat first at the venue given that there was a considerable amount of dew in the second innings of the previous game, making it hard for the bowlers to grip the ball.
Venue details: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
Last T20 match at the venue: DC- 213/2 (20 overs) PBKS- 198/8 (20 overs)
Here’s the probable playing XI for Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals:
Punjab Kings
The Punjab-based outfit almost pulled off a miraculous result after Liam Livingstone launched a scathing assault against the bowlers in the latter stages of the match. However, he never received much support from the other end, raising question marks about their middle-order prowess.
Rajasthan Royals
Sanju Samson’s side were on the receiving end of a record-breaking defeat against fellow contenders Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, they will be looking to bounce back against a struggling Punjab Kings bowling attack to keep themselves alive in the tournament.
