IPL 2021: Match 32, PBKS vs RR Match Prediction – Who will win today’s IPL match?

Preview 

Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals are set to face each other in Match No.32 of the 2021 Indian Premier League on Tuesday, September 21 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Royals were jolted with a blow as Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, and Jofra Archer won’t be featuring for them.

However, they have roped in South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi, the ICC’s no.1 ranked T20I bowler. Moreover, the Royals have Mustafizur Rahman, who was in scintillating form in the matches against New Zealand and Australia. The Royals are placed at fifth in the points table with six points.

The Kings, on the other, have had their travails as well. However, they managed to rope in England leg-spinner Adil Rashid to strengthen their bowling. Dawid Malan’s departure will deplete their batting to some extent. The Kings are precariously placed at the sixth spot in the points table.

Match Details

Match – Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals – 32nd match

Venue – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Time – 7:30 PM IST, 02:00 PM GMT

Where to watch live – Star Sports Network, Hotstar

Pitch Report

The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has been a good one for batting. But the chasing teams generally find it tough. In the previous game, the track was a tad tacky and hence, batting first should be the preferred option.

Avg first innings score: 170 (Last 27 IPL matches in Dubai)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 10, Lost – 17, Tied – 0

Probable Playing XIs:

Punjab Kings

Lokesh Rahul (C and wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Moises Henriques, Harpreet Brar, Adil Rashid, Mohammad Shami, Murugan Ashwin/Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh

Bench: Fabian Allen, Murugan Ashwin/Ravi Bishnoi, Nathan Ellis, Chris Jordan, Jalaj Saxena, Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh, Aiden Markram, Darshan Nalkande, Ishan Porel, Prabhsimran Singh, Saurabh Kumar

Rajasthan Royals

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Liam Livingstone, Sanju Samson (C and WK), Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, David Miller/Manan Vohra, Chris Morris, Rahul Tewatia, Chetan Sakariya, Jaydev Unadkat/Mustafizur Rahman, Tabraiz Shamsi

Bench: Akash Singh, KC Cariappa, Shreyas Gopal, Kartik Tyagi, Evin Lewis, Mayank Markande, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Phillips, Oshane Thomas, Kuldip Yadav, Manan Vohra/David Miller/Jaydev Unadkat/Mustafizur Rahman

Head-to-Head

Overall

Played – 22 | Punjab Kings– 10 | Rajasthan Royals– 12 |N/R – 0

In the UAE

Played – 3 | Punjab Kings– 1 | Rajasthan Royals– 2 |N/R – 0

Probable best batsman of the match

KL Rahul—Punjab Kings

KL Rahul has been in scintillating form for the Kings in the 2021 edition of the IPL. In seven matches, the right-handed batter has notched 331 runs at an average of 66.20 and a strike rate of 136.21. Having scored fifties in four out of seven games, the Bangalore-born cricketer has been on top of his game. He’ll be looking to take the Kings off to a flying start.

Mustafizur Rahman– Rajasthan Royals

Mustafizur Rahman is currently in the form of his life. In 2021, he has picked up 18 wickets in T20Is from 11 matches. Moreover, he was literally unplayable in the T20Is against Australia and New Zealand. Against the Aussies, he bowled at an economy of less than four. In the 2021 IPL, the Satkhira-born has picked up eight wickets at an economy rate of 8.29.

Today’s match prediction: Rajasthan Royals to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.