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RR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2023 Match 8 | RR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction Today | Guwahati Pitch Report
Two first-up winners in IPL 2023 go head-to-head for the chance to keep their 100% record alive. 2022 finalists Rajasthan Royals showcased their 2023 credentials with a calculated, clinical take down of Sunrisers Hyderabad, whom many believe can challenge for this year’s title.
Jos Buttler was superb in the powerplay, and the Royals want more of the same. Yashasvi Jaiswal was also terrific, and is a dark horse for this season’s Orange Cap. Sanju Samson was as classy and impactful as ever, followed up by the Royals’ efficient attack led by the brilliant Yuzvendra Chahal and Trent Boult.
If Punjab Kings are to knock them over in this clash, they’ll have to be even better than they were against KKR on Saturday. It was a solid all-round display against the Knight Riders, but consistency is the next step for the Kings. Last season, they failed to win two consecutive matches, ultimately costing them a playoffs’ spot. Here is a great chance to right that wrong by beating a highly-rated team in IPL 2023.
RR have won four of the past five matches against PBKS. Can Punjab add another victory to turn this recent record around?
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Match Details
- Location: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
- Time: 7:30pm (IST).
- For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.
IPL 2023 Match 8: RR vs PBKS Possible Playing XIs
Rajasthan Royals could stick with the same XI. Their team is built perfectly for the Impact Player rule, so they may start with a specialist bowler over Devdutt Padikkal if they bowl first and vice versa.
Rajasthan Royals: 1. Jos Buttler (OS), 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3. Sanju Samson (c & wk), 4. Devdutt Padikkal, 5. Shimron Hetmyer (OS), 6. Riyan Parag, 7. Jason Holder (OS), 8. R Ashwin, 9. Trent Boult (OS), 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. KM Asif
Kagiso Rabada has joined the PBKS squad after South Africa’s two ODIs against the Netherlands. Whether he is ready to go for this match remains to be seen.
Punjab Kings: 1. Shikhar Dhawan (c), 2. Prabhsimran Singh, 3. Bhanuka Rajapaksa (OS), 4. Jitesh Sharma (wk), 5. Sikandar Raza (OS), 6. Sam Curran (OS), 7. Shahrukh Khan, 8. Harpreet Brar, 9. Kagiso Rabada/Nathan Ellis (OS), 10. Rahul Chahar, 11. Arshdeep Singh
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Rajasthan Royals:
- Since the start of IPL 2018, Jos Buttler has smashed 306 runs against Punjab at an average of 43.71 and strike rate of 150.
- In all T20s, Buttler has great numbers against Rabada (56 balls, 96 runs, one dismissal).
- Yashasvi Jaiswal has struck scores of 68 and 49 at a strike rate of 151.95 against Punjab. He was player of the match against them last season.
- Sanju Samson has the most runs in RR-PBKS matches. The captain has belted 552 runs in 15 innings at an average of 46.00 and strike rate of 152.91.
- Samson has hit 49 off just 26 balls against Arshdeep (one dismissal), 26 off 17 against Rabada (one dismissal) and 44 off 28 against Rahul Chahar (one dismissal).
- Trent Boult started IPL 2023 brilliantly, with two wickets in his first over against SRH. However, he has historically struggled against PBKS, with eight wickets in ten matches at an average of 42.63 and economy of 9.34.
- Yuzvendra Chahal is on fire. The classy legspinner has taken 31 wickets in his last 18 IPL matches, including 4/17 against SRH and 3/28 against PBKS last season.
- Chahal career record vs PBKS: 17 matches, 28 wickets, avg. 16.25, SR 12.46.
Punjab Kings:
- Shikhar Dhawan has scored 576 runs against RR at an average of 28.80 and strike rate of 126.59. He has good numbers in T20s against Trent Boult, with 102 runs in 81 balls (two dismissals).
- Jitesh Sharma hit 38* off 18 balls against RR last season. When batting at number five in T20s, Jitesh has scored 406 runs at an average of 58.00 and strike rate of 196.14.
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa showcased what he is capable of in the first match against KKR. The hard-hitting left-hander hit 50 off 32 balls.
- Arshdeep Singh was outstanding in Punjab’s first game. He took 3/18. Also, he has an good wicket-taking record against RR, with 12 wickets in five matches at an average of 14.42.
- Arshdeep has dismissed Buttler once in 20 balls and has only conceded 20 runs. He has also dismissed Jaiswal once in five balls (two runs).
- Sam Curran made a promising start to life as the most expensive IPL player. He struck 26* (17) and took 1/38 against KKR. Something to build on.
- Kagiso Rabada has taken ten wickets in six matches against Royals (avg. 20.60, SR 14.20).
Other Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 24, Rajasthan Royals 14, Punjab Kings 10.
- Since the start of 2022, Buttler has smashed 917 runs in the IPL at an average of 57.3 and strike rate of 152.6.
- Shimron Hetmyer is key as the finisher for RR. He struck 31* off 16 balls against PBKS last season.
- R Ashwin has overall figures of 4/85 off 97 balls in T20s against Shikhar Dhawan.
- Rahul Chahar vs Royals: 6 matches, 7 wickets, avg 20.14, econ. 6.71.
- Watch out for Prabhsimran Singh, who hit an impressive 23 off 12 balls against KKR. He was dismissed in unlucky fashion down the legside.
Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati Pitch Report and Weather
The Royals will play their first two home matches at Guwahati before moving to Sawai Masingh Stadium in Jaipur. Expect a true, fresh pitch for this clash. Last year, India (237/3) and South Africa (221/3) played out a very high-scoring T20I. Kagiso Rabada took 0/57 in four overs, Arshdeep Singh 2/62 and R Ashwin 0/37.
A warm and mostly clear evening is forecast, so the captain who wins the toss is likely to field with dew and the relatively small ground dimensions.
IPL 2023 Match 8: RR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction Today Match 5 April 2023
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Fan2Play Prediction
If you’re looking for an alternative to Dream11, Fan2Play offers different contests such as 2, 3 and 4-player fantasy teams. Check out and download the app here.
Base team:
- Wicket-keepers: Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson
- Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shikhar Dhawan
- All-rounders: Sam Curran
- Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
IPL 2023 Match 8: RR vs PBKS Match Prediction – Who will win?
Punjab are capable of winning, but expect Rajasthan to prevail, especially if they chase.
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