IPL Today Match RR vs PBKS: Dream11 prediction, head to head stats, fantasy value, key players, pitch report and ground history of IPL 2024

NEW DELHI: As the Rajasthan Royals travel from the desert sands of Rajasthan to the flood-prone region of Assam, they seek to regain their peak form, which seems to have eluded them in recent times. Until recently, their match against Punjab Kings on Wednesday was considered a prelude to the anticipated top-of-the-table clash with Kolkata Knight Riders at the same venue on Sunday.
However, three consecutive losses in May have dented the Royals' fortunes and their "invincibles" tag. Currently positioned to finish as table toppers after the league stage, they now need to win at least one of their remaining two games to secure a top-two finish alongside KKR, who have already sealed their spot. KKR have 19 points from 13 games, while RR follow with 16 points from 12 matches.

Under the leadership of the charismatic Sanju Samson, Royals couldn't ask for a better opponent than the significantly weakened, bottom-placed Kings to secure the desired top-two position before facing the formidable KKR. However, RR will be without explosive opener Jos Buttler, who has returned home to lead England against Pakistan in a four-match T20 series as part of preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. Uncapped English opener Tom Kohler-Cadmore is expected to partner with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order.

Already at the bottom of the standings with eight points from 12 matches, the Punjab camp has been further impacted by the unavailability of several key players ahead of their penultimate game. Shikhar Dhawan, who has missed most of the season due to a shoulder injury, has reportedly been ruled out of the last two games.
Jonny Bairstow and stand-in skipper Sam Curran are set to leave for England after Wednesday's game, leaving Punjab with the task of finding another captain for their final match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Liam Livingstone and Chris Woakes have already departed India.
Head to head
In the history of the IPL, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals have squared off 27 times. Among these encounters, Punjab has emerged victorious in 11 matches, while Rajasthan has claimed victory in 16 instances. These statistics underscore Rajasthan's dominance over Punjab in their head-to-head clashes, indicating a challenging rivalry between the two teams.
Ground stats
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium, in its brief IPL history, has hosted two matches, with both resulting in victories for the teams batting first. The ground has proven to be favourable for setting targets, with an average first innings total of 198 runs. This indicates the importance of a strong start, with teams capitalizing on the pitch conditions and scoring freely in the initial overs to lay a solid foundation for a competitive total.

In the two matches played at Barsapara, the average powerplay score stands at 56.5 runs, highlighting the significance of the opening six overs in setting the tone for the innings. Additionally, the average death-over score of 51.5 runs suggests that teams have managed to maintain their momentum towards the end of the innings, contributing to the overall high-scoring nature of matches at this venue.
Pitch report
The wicket at Guwahati's Barsapara Stadium has garnered a reputation for being batting-friendly, offering ample opportunities for batsmen to score freely. This assertion is substantiated by the performances in the last two International matches held at the venue, where both the team batting first and the chasing side managed to surpass the 200-run mark. Such high-scoring encounters underscore the batting paradise that the Barsapara Stadium often transforms into during matches.
Fantasy value from pitch report
1) Given the high-scoring nature of the pitch and the likelihood of both teams posting formidable totals, batsmen are valuable fantasy picks. Look for top-order batsmen who have a history of scoring big runs and can capitalize on the batting-friendly conditions to accumulate a significant number of runs. Players who are adept at playing both pace and spin and have a good strike rate should be prioritized in fantasy teams.
2) All-rounders who can contribute with both bat and ball can be valuable fantasy picks on this pitch. Since the surface is conducive to batting, all-rounders who can provide stability in the middle order while also chipping in with crucial overs can fetch points from both batting and bowling performances. Look for all-rounders who have a good track record in similar conditions and can make an impact with their all-round skills.
Probable XIs
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Nandre Burger, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma
Impact player: Rovman Powell
Punjab Kings: Jonny Bairstow (wk), Prabhsimran Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Jitesh Sharma, Shashank Singh, Sam Curran (c), Ashutosh Sharma, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Vidhwath Kaverappa
Impact player: Atharva Taide
Key players
1) Yashasvi Jaiswal:IPL 2024 Stats: 344 runs in 12 matches
In IPL 2024, Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased his batting prowess by accumulating an impressive tally of 344 runs in 12 matches, establishing himself as a dependable run-scorer for his team. His consistency and ability to anchor innings were vital in providing stability to the batting lineup and contributing to his team's success throughout the tournament. (Here is the updated IPL 2024 Orange Cap standings)
2) Sam Curran: IPL 2024 Stats: 207 runs and 14 wickets in 12 matches
Sam Curran emerged as a valuable all-rounder for his team in IPL 2024, making significant contributions with both bat and ball. He amassed 207 runs and showcased his prowess with the ball, claiming 14 crucial wickets in the 12 matches he played. His ability to deliver impactful performances in different facets of the game proved instrumental in shaping his team's fortunes.
3) Yuzvendra Chahal: IPL 2024 Stats: 15 wickets in 12 matches
Yuzvendra Chahal displayed his bowling prowess in IPL 2024, scalping an impressive tally of 15 wickets in 12 matches. Known for his crafty leg-spin bowling and ability to outsmart batsmen, Chahal played a pivotal role in providing crucial breakthroughs for his team and exerting control in the middle overs. His knack for picking up wickets at crucial junctures made him a valuable asset for his team's bowling attack. (Here is the updated IPL 2024 Purple Cap standings)
Fantasy team
Wicketkeeper: Sanju Samson (vc), Riyan Parag, Jonny Bairstow
Batsmen: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh
All-rounders: Sam Curran (c)
Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel