As IPL 2023 progresses towards the playoffs, there’s an intriguing possibility that four teams might end the league stage with 14 points each. The qualifying team would then be decided based on a superior run rate. This electrifying scenario will come to life only if the Royal Challengers Bangalore lose one of their remaining games, Mumbai Indians lose their final match, and Kolkata Knight Riders win their last game. Amidst this setup, the impending duel between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals becomes a key match, as only one of them can be part of this nail-biting finish.
The PBKS and the RR are standing at the precipice of an exciting and potentially heartbreaking situation. The teams are primed for a showdown in Dharamsala, where the winner could possibly steal a playoff berth.
Even after a massive defeat against the RCB, RR’s Net Run Rate remains positive, and a win over the Kings might see them through if the 14-point scenario materializes. The Kings, however, are in a tricky spot with their NRR dipping after their loss to Delhi Capitals.
PBKS, after their recent defeat, would need to up their game in the bowling department, especially against RR’s robust batting line-up. They might consider bringing in Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Rishi Dhawan. RR, on the other hand, might welcome Trent Boult back to their playing XI and choose between Devdutt Padikkal and Riyan Parag.
PBKS Probable XI: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sam Curran, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Nathan Ellis, Rishi Dhawan, Arshdeep Singh.
RR Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson(c & wk), Joe Root, Devdutt Padikkal/Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, KM Asif, Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Dharamsala pitch, known for its bounce and pace, and short boundaries promise an advantage for the batsmen. Bowlers would need to extract any early swing to stay in the game. Another high-scoring match is likely.
The upcoming PBKS vs RR face-off is expected to be a cracker of a game, given the high stakes involved. Not only do these two teams face a do-or-die situation, but the result also carries implications for the rest of the league. One thing is certain – an exciting contest lies ahead for IPL fans.
In what is shaping up to be a thrilling encounter between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, the current prediction estimates indicate a marginal lead for RR. Our analysis shows RR with a winning probability of 52%, while PBKS holds a 48% chance of emerging victorious. We predict Rajasthan Royals to win this match.
