KXIP vs RR IPL 2019 preview: Can Royals continue their momentum as Ashwin Buttler face-off again

The first controversy of IPL 2019? Ashwin run-outs Buttler in mankad style. The air hasn’t settled yet and here we are back again completing the circle.

A win against a strong Mumbai Indians will have given Rajasthan the much need impetus and now riding on confidence they take on Punjab.

R Ashwin’s team meanwhile has seen a lots of ups and down thanks to their inconsistent show. More than anything else, the management will want their players to put a combined effort, a task that looks highly daunting for now.

Venue:

More than the pitch, the outfield of Mohali has made news. The dew is sure to make an impact and batting first might hold the key to the game.

#KingsLegacy: We host our neighbours from the West tomorrow. Good time to revisit how @klrahul11 stood tall when we hosted them last season?#SaddaPunjab https://t.co/MFwzSsyBqC

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 15, 2019

Form guide:

Seven matches in Indian Premier League season 12 and Rajasthan still bank on Jos Buttler’s genius. The middle order is a worry and the pace department needs some more solidarity.

KL Rahul and Gayle make things easier for Punjab but they are still searching for a perfect middle-order.

Shami has seen a roller coaster ride and the overseas pace bowler slot is nothing less than a musical chair.

Key Numbers:

• In head to head battles, it is an even contest with Rajasthan holding a slight advantage. Rajasthan has won 10 while Punjab has won eight games.

• In matches between the two sides, Ajinkya Rahane is the leading run-scorer with 347 runs in 11 innings.

Players in focus:

With eight wickets in seven games, S Gopal has remained in the shadows in IPL season 12. Bur he maintains an impressive economy rate of 6.41 and his every wicket has costed just 19.25.

He might be a crucial bowler for Rajasthan given Punjab’s explosive batting line-up.

No surprises there. @henrygayle continues to be the fan favourite ?#SaddaPunjab #KXIPvRCB #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/hgD67kgqnm

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 14, 2019

Also check KXIP vs RR match prediction

With two fifties in the last two games, Chris Gayle has once again stolen the limelight. The Universal Boss is the third highest run-scorer in IPL 2019 and his strike rate of 157.07 is only second to Andre Russell’s 213.69 in this season’s IPL.

With Rajasthan lacking pace in their bowling department, Gayle can launch another big innings on April 16.