The 52nd match of the IPL 2022 will see the clash of Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Wankhede Stadium on May 7, 2022, in the first match of the doubleheader. RR are placed 3rd at the points table, while PBKS are seventh.
RR are coming off a loss to KKR and have 6 wins from 10 matches to their name and still need atleast 2 more wins from the remaining 4 games to breathe relief about the playoffs. PBKS, on the other hand, have 5 wins from 10 matches and needs to win almost all of the four games to have a chance of finishing in the top four.
IPL 2022: ‘We were put under pressure as a group’, concedes Williamson after SRH’s big loss to DC
Keeping this in mind, here is the COC Predicted Playing XIs for the PBKS v RR match.
PUNJAB KINGS
Punjab Kings are barely hanging by a thread when it comes to the playoff’s qualification given that they have 10 points from 10 matches and need to win a majority of their remaining matches to make it into the top four.
Their batting has been in good form, especially with Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shikhar Dhawan, and Liam Livingstone leading the way. But Mayank Agarwal and Jonny Bairstow have yet to hit some big runs in the tournament.
Jitesh Sharma has finished well in the opportunity he got and Rishi Dhawan is a welcomed addition to the playing XI. PBKS most likely have to make a forced change with Rahul Chahar injuring his hand in their last match.
Harpreet Brar is expected to replace him, while the pace department continues to be led by Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh with Sandeep Sharma for support.
RAJASTHAN ROYALS
Rajasthan Royals endured a loss in their last match against KKR, but are still at the 3rd spot in the points table. While Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Shimron Hetmyer have been doing the bulk of their scoring, Riyan Parag and Devdutt Padikkal have contributed here and there.
However, no clarity on the no.4 spot has been a bane for RR and it is time that Rassie van der Dussen is given an extended run at that spot to solidify his position as the anchor in the XI.
IPL 2022: WATCH- RR stars R Ashwin, Yashasvi Jaiswal play chess; All India Chess Federation reacts
R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal have troubled the opposition batters, while Trent Boult and Prasidh Krishna leading the way in the pace department, while Kuldeep Sen has kept the speed gun busy by clocking over 140 kph with regularity.
PBKS COC Predicted Playing XI:
Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Mayank Agarwal (C), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma
RR COC Predicted Playing XI:
Devdutt Padikkal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C-WK), Rassie van der Dussen, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Sen
