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IPL 2021 preview: Will a new-look Punjab Kings have upper hand against Rajasthan Royals?

Punjab Kings has gone a name change in Indian Premier League 2021, while it is yet to win the title to date, having finished as runner-up before. Rajasthan Royals has never really clicked since the 2008 title win and would aim for a formidable IPL 2021.

IPL 2021, Match 4 preview: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings- Team analysis, along with Fantasy XI?-ayh
Author
Mumbai, First Published Apr 11, 2021, 7:53 PM IST

With the 2021 Indian Premier League off to a great starter, one can already expect the season to be a cracker. Meanwhile, Match 4 of IPL 2021 is scheduled between former champion Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.

RR has never clicked as a proper title contender since winning the maiden edition in 2008. While PBKS finished as runner-up in 2014, it has never won the title and hopes for its new identity to change fortunes. On the same note, we present the match preview.

2020 form
Last season, RR finished at the bottom of the table with yet another dreadful outing, as it desperately needs to turn things around this season. As for PBKS, it finished sixth and would be eyeing the playoffs spot this season, with KL Rahul all set to lead again.

Team composition and combination
Considering RR, it somewhat has a weak yet balanced squad, with slightly more focus on batting. While the capped talents are equally distributed in all departments, it would be exciting to see how Sanju Samson manages to lead the side.

As for Rahul and co, they have a perfectly balanced squad. While batting happens to be their strength, its bowling is a concern, with just six capped talents. Nevertheless, they possess great uncapped talents who can turn the game around on any given day.

Injury concerns
RR is the only side to have an injury concern, with prime English pacer Jofra Archer set to miss the initial few games, having undergone surgery in his hands.

Follow all IPL 2021 updates here

Head-to-head
Both have clashed on 21 occasions, with RR winning 12 and PBKS winning nine. In India, they have played 16 games against each other, with RR leading 9-7. It would be their first clash in Mumbai.

IPL 2021, Match 4 preview: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings- Team analysis, along with Fantasy XI?-ayh

Weather and pitch report
The weather in Mumbai would be hot, with a temperature of around 34 degrees and 51% of humidity. As for the track, a sporty track would be expected. However, judging by the past game, there could be runs aplenty, with anything around 200 to be highly competitive.

Probable XI
RR:
Sanju Samson (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ben Stokes, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Shivam Dubey, Shreyas Gopal, Mustafizur Rahman and Jaydev Unadkat.
PBKS: KL Rahul (c & wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh, Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Jhye Richardson, Chris Jordan, Mohammed Shami and Murugan Ashwin.

Fantasy XI
Batsmen:
Miller, Agarwal, Malan and Jaiswal- Agarwal can give the right start as an opener, with Jaiswal at number three. While Malan can consolidate in the middle, Miller can be the perfect finisher.
Wicketkeepers: Buttler (c), Rahul (vc)- While Buttler has been in a deadly form of late, he can rightfully bat on top. Meanwhile, Rahul would be the opener and is expected to give a glowing start.
All-rounders: Stokes, Morris- While Stokes is a no-brainer here, Morris is expected to deliver with the ball.
Bowlers: Shami, Richardson, Ashwin- Shami and Richardson are expected to be deadly with their seam. Meanwhile, Ashwin can be tricky with his leg spins.

Match details
Date and day:
April 12, 2021 (Monday)
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar

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