IPL 2021 – Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings taking place? Monday 12th April, 2021 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings taking place? Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Where can I get tickets for Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings? IPL 2021 matches will initially be played without spectators but visit the official IPL website for any further updates
What channel is Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings on? Sky Sports will be televising this match
Where can I stream Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings? Sky Sports subscribers will be able to stream the match live vis the Sky Go website or app
THE TEAM NEWS
RAJASTHAN ROYALS
- Rajasthan Royals never really got going in the IPL last year as they only won three of their opening nine games and they fell short of making of making the play-offs so they will be desperate to make a better start this time around.
- Sanju Samson has been appointed their new captain and they will be hoping for a change in fortunes but they are not helped by the absence of injured star bowler Jofra Archer so that has affected their plans somewhat.
- Chris Morris was their star signing in the auction and he will be expected to replace Archer at the death especially rather than supplement him so they will need their numerous all-rounders to contribute along with star batsmen Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes.
PUNJAB KINGS
- The Punjab Kings – previously known as Kings XI Punjab – will be desperate to start with more urgency to this IPL as their disastrous start last year cost them a place in the play-offs as despite winning five of their last seven, that did not make up for the six defeats in their first seven.
- They will be led by KL Rahul once again and their biggest challenge will be choosing just four overseas players as they boast some world class options in Chris Gayle, Dawid Malan, Nicholas Pooran, Fabian Allen, Moises Henriques, Chris Jordan, Riley Meredith and Jhye Richardson.
- Their batting looks formidable and their bowling attack is boosted by Richardson and Meredith who could be something of a revelation with his pace, while the return to fitness of Mohammed Shami will be just as important to their hopes early in the tournament.
THE PREDICTION
This match has all the hallmarks of a classic run-fest with two of the most dangerous batting line-ups on show in the tournament. It could simply come down to which set of batsmen, or individual, finds their groove and scores big as both the Royals and Kings possess some fearsome strikers of the ball. The difference however could come down to which bowling attack adapts to the conditions and it is the Kings whose pace attack of Shami, Richardson and Meredith looks particularly impressive. With some serious firepower at the top of their order with Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran, they are marginally favoured to get off to a winning start here.
