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Wednesday 2023 IPL fixture sees Rajasthan Royals host Punjab Kings. There were wins for both in the opening round of games but it is Rajasthan Royals who are favourites with the bookies to win this match with odds of 8/11 (1.73).
These odds from Ladbrokes were correct at the time of writing.
- Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings, Match 8
- April 5, 2023 – 15:00 GMT
- Barsapara Cricket Ground, Guwahati
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Contents
This is the first ever IPL clash at the Barsapara Cricket Ground but we have seen high-scoring T20I fixtures at this venue over recent years. We expect a par score of over 200 on a quick and hard surface.
Humidity levels could reach as high as 90% in the second half of this match. We expect clear skies with the temperature over 24 degrees throughout.
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings – Match Predictions
Rajasthan Royals are our pick to get the win in this game. With an enviable top order batting line-up and variety alongside accuracy in their bowling attack, we can’t see anything other than Punjab Kings being beaten on Wednesday.
Prediction 1
Rajasthan Royals to hit most sixes
4/6 (1.67)
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Odds from
Prediction 2
Kagiso Rabada to be Punjab Kings' Top Bowler
11/1 (12.00)
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Odds from
Probable 6s
Punjab Kings hit nine sixes in their win over Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday with Rajasthan Royals striking eight maximums on Sunday against Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, we are backing Rajasthan Royals to clear the boundary the most in this game. Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer all know only one way to play and we expect to see the Royals hit more sixes than the Kings on Wednesday.
Our prediction: Rajasthan Royals to hit most sixes in the match at 4/6 (1.67).
Probable Wickets
South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada missed the opening game for Punjab Kings due to the final ODI against Netherlands. However, the wicket machine is back for this match. He has taken 99 IPL wickets and is set to smash the record for number of games to bring up 100 dismissals. It will be hard work against a strong Rajasthan batting line-up, but Rabada is our tip to take the most wickets for his side.
Our prediction: Kagiso Rabada to be Punjab Kings’ highest wicket-taker at 11/1 (12.00).
Man of the Match
No one is surprised anymore when Jos Buttler produces an innings from a different planet to the rest of his teammates and opposition. That’s exactly what happened on Sunday when he hit 3x sixes and 7x fours in his 22-ball 54! Buttler has produced the goods across multiple IPLs as well as the SA20 earlier this year and took England to the T20 World Cup in November 2022. He has been the most consistent white-ball batter in franchise cricket for over 12 months and we are backing him to take the Man of the Match Award.
Our prediction: Jos Buttler to be the Man of the Match at 6/1 (7.00).
Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Preview
This will be the 25th clash between the teams with Rajasthan Royals leading the head to head 14-10. The Royals are on a good run of results against Punjab Kings with four wins from the last five games between the franchises.
Rajasthan Royals
Gujarat Titans have impressed in both of their wins but Rajasthan Royals were the most impressive, with bat and ball, of all sides across the first round of IPL fixtures. There are no injuries in the camp and we expect to see the same XI in this match.
Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c) (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder, Trent Boult, KM Asif, Yuzvendra Chahal
Punjab Kings
Kagiso Rabada would improve any IPL side and his return to the Punjab Kings XI in this game is a massive positive for the side. Arshdeep Singh provides another excellent wicket taking threat but, apart from Shikhar Dhawan, there are not many runs in the team.
Predicted XI: Prabhsimran Singh, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, M Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada
How to Watch IPL 2023 in the UK: Live Streaming & Channel List
If you want to watch the Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings game then you can see every ball on Sky Sports Cricket. If you prefer to stream the IPL then the Sky Go App is what you need!
- Sky Sports Cricket (TV)
- Sky Go (Streaming)
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