Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals have started their IPL 2020 campaign on a high by beating Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore in their previous games.
It is a royal clash in the deserts of the UAE. Kings XI Punjab, fresh from an absolute mauling of Royal Challengers Bangalore, take the challenge of the Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah. The rivalry is intense between the two sides, as the head-to-head will show. Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals have played each other 19 times, with Rajasthan Royals holding a slight edge of 10-9. However, Kings XI Punjab have won four out of the last five encounters, with the one in 2015 going to the Super Over.
The Super Over is something that the Kings XI Punjab will be vary off. In their very first game in IPL 2020, they conspired to level the score but inexplicably lose two wickets off the final two balls to take the match into the Super Over. They were humbled by the Delhi Capitals in that match. They learnt the lessons well for the next game. KL Rahul led from the front by smashing the highest individual score in the IPL by an Indian player. Thus, the huge thrashing of Virat Kohli’s team has given Kings XI Punjab a fantastic net run-rate.
For Rajasthan Royals, they were not considered the favorites heading into the clash against Chennai Super Kings. MS Dhoni’s team were high on confidence having beaten Mumbai Indians while Rajasthan Royals were missing the services of aces like Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes. However, they totally upset the form book and turned the tables on Chennai Super Kings audaciously. Led by the power of Sanju Samson and the class of Steve Smith, as well as the cameo of Jofra ‘Nostradamus’ Archer, Rajasthan Royals overcame the odds and won against the three-time champions.
Heading into the clash, both sides know that a big loss could result in the denting of their momentum. Apart from Delhi Capitals surprisingly, no other side has won two consecutive games in IPL 2020 so far. Perhaps, it begins from this game in Sharjah.
Team News
With Jos Buttler’s quarantine coming to an end, he might be selected in this clash against Kings XI Punjab. He may have a score to settle with the franchise after the infamous ‘Mankading’ incident although the other protagonist is in Delhi Capitals. Kings XI Punjab might make no changes to the side that won against Royal Challengers Bangalore but with the small grounds and flat boundaries, maybe Chris Gayle might replace Nicholas Pooran.
Probable Playing 11s
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson(w), Steven Smith(c), David Miller, Riyan Parag, Shreyas Gopal, Jos Buttler, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat
Kings XI Punjab: Lokesh Rahul(w/c), Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Nicholas Pooran/Chris Gayle, Glenn Maxwell, Sarfaraz Khan, James Neesham, Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin, Sheldon Cottrell, Ravi Bishnoi
Match details
Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab
Date and Time: 27th September, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Sharjah International Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Statistics
Rajasthan Royals hold a 10-9 advantage against Kings XI Punjab in 19 encounters but Kings XI Punjab have won four out of the last five encounters against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Jos Buttler RR IPL 2020")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}