Why are Shikhar Dhawan, Jos Buttler and Ashwin not playing IPL 2024 Match 27 between PBKS vs RR?

Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 27 of the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to field first. Coming into the game after losing their previous fixture against Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan were forced to make a couple of changes due to fitness issues.

The table toppers had to leave out their star opener Jos Buttler who wasn’t 100% fit for the game. Buttler had a slow start to the season scoring just 35 runs in the first three games. However, he made a brilliant comeback with an unbeaten 100* (58) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru while chasing.

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Rajasthan brought in Rovman Powell to replace Buttler and also had to bench Ravichandran Ashwin due to a niggle. The off-spinner hasn’t had a memorable season with the bowl having picked up just one wicket from five matches. However, he played some useful cameos with the bat in the two innings scoring 45 runs.

Ashwin has been replaced by Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian who will be making his IPL debut. Notably, the 25-year-old was recently awarded Player of the Tournament in Ranji Trophy 2023-24 for scoring 502 runs and picking 29 wickets.

Liam Livingstone makes a comeback for Punjab

On the other hand, Punjab were without the services of their regular captain Shikhar Dhawan who had to miss out due to a niggle. The southpaw is the leading run-scorer of his team so far with 152 runs to his name from five innings at an average of 30.40 and a strike rate of 125.61. He’s been replaced by Vidarbha all-rounder Atharva Taide who will be playing the first game of the season.

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However, Punjab finally got the services of their star all-rounder Liam Livingstone back who missed their last two fixtures due to an injury. The PBKS management benched Sikandar Raza to make way for Livingstone in the playing XI.