IPL 2022 | PBKS vs RR | Match 52 Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

Rajasthan Royals would look to bounce back and return to their winning ways when they take on Mayank Agarwal-led Punjab Kings in the 52nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 on Saturday (May 7) at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. 

The Sanju Samson-led unit, despite losing their last couple of games, finds themselves at the third spot on the points table. So far, they have won 6 games out of the ten they played and need to avoid their third consecutive loss this season as competition is heating up with each passing game. 

The Royals have suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Shreyas Iyer and co in their most recent outing at Wankhede Stadium. The likes of Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer and Yuzvendra Chahal have been sensational, and RR will expect them to sustain their momentum to finish in the top four. 

Punjab Kings, on the other hand, took sweet revenge on Hardik Pandya and the unit as they handed them a huge eight wickets defeat in their last encounter. 

It was an incredible batting display of power-hitting from Liam Livingstone, who smashed the biggest six of the season against Shami, leaving the entire cricket fraternity drooling. Riding on Livingstone's 10-ball 30, Punjab Kings chased down the target of 143 in just 16 overs which helped them boost their NRR a bit. 

With five wins and as many losses, the Mayank Agarwal-led side is currently placed at the seventh position in the points table. The Kings are yet to register two wins in a row this season, and they will look to do so when they take on Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. With this being a must-win game for both sides, a thrilling match anticipates in Mumbai. 

Match Details

Match: Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, Match 52

Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Date & Time: 7th May at 3:30 PM IST & Local Time

Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar

Pitch Report: The surface at Wankhede Stadium is expected to deliver another high scoring game on Saturday. The batters will score freely while bowlers will have to toil hard to pick wickets. Since it is a day game, the toss will not have any influence on the outcome of the game. 

Pitch Stats [Last 5 Matches] 

Matches Played: 5

Matches Won Batting First: 2

Matches Won Bowling First: 3

Average 1st Inning Score: 175

Average 2nd Inning Score: 174

RR vs PBKS Head-To-Head

Matches Played: 23

PBKS Won: 10

RR Won: 13

Key Matchups

Buttler vs Chahar: 68/2 at 179 SR

Buttler vs Arshdeep: 15/1 at 115 SR

Shikhar vs Chahal: 73/3 at 114 SR

Shikhar vs Boult: 96/2 at 133 SR

Shikhar vs R Ashwin: 85/3 at 88 SR

Shikhar vs Prasidh: 60/1 at 150 SR

Bairstow vs Chahal: 48/2 at 129 SR

Bairstow vs Neesham: 9/1 at 180 SR

Bairstow vs Boult: 46/2 at 170 SR

Mayank vs Prasidh: 44/1 at 176 SR

Livingstone vs Chahal: 1/1 at 20 SR

Samson vs Rabada: 26/1 at 152 SR

Samson vs Arshdeep: 39/1 at 177 SR

Samson vs Chahar: 42/1 at 161 SR

Padikkal vs Arshdeep: 31/1 at 194 SR

Padikkal vs Sandeep: 26/1 at 104 SR

Squads

Punjab Kings: Mayank Agarwal (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Benny Howell, Baltej Singh, Writtick Chatterjee, Shahrukh Khan, Prerak Mankad, Odean Smith, Ishan Porel, Atharva Taide, Prabhsimran Singh, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis, Vaibhav Arora, Ansh Patel, Raj Bawa.

Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (C & WK), Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Daryl Mitchell, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Sen, Karun Nair, James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Navdeep Saini, KC Cariappa, Obed McCoy, Tejas Baroka, Kuldip Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anunay Singh, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Garhwal.

Probable Playing XI 

Punjab Kings: Mayank Agarwal (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma.

Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (C & WK), Karun Nair, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Sen.

CREX XI Suggestion

Wicket-Keeper: Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson

Batters: Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shimron Hetmyer

All-Rounders: Liam Livingstone

Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Praisdh Krishna, Kuldeep Sen

Captain: Jos Buttler

Vice-Captain: Shikhar Dhawan