IPL match preview: Punjab Kings v Rajasthan Royals

The Rajasthan Royals will go into this match with a chance of still making the play-offs. They'll need to win and other results will have to fall in their favour. The Royals, remember, lost last year's final - and remain keen to go one better this season.

They were bowled out for just 59 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore recently. Understandably, then, plenty of focus is on their batsmen. Captain Sanju Samson would dearly like to lead from the front in this respect.

This will be only the second match of the 2023 IPL in Dharamsala. Its opening match served up a first-innings score of 200-plus - and it's likely the captain to win the toss will opt to bowl first and chase a target later.

Punjab will play from the privileged position of having been here a few days ago. They should have a stronger understanding of conditions than the Royals do. It's probable seam will have more of a say than spin.

Punjab and Rajasthan have effectively taken it in turns to beat each other in their last five meetings. The Royals have three wins to the Kings' two.

There are many excellent leg-spinners on display in this season's IPL - and Rahul Chahar has to be one of the most underrated. He collected the cheapest economy rate amid the other Punjab bowlers' expense against the Capitals recently and could thrive in Dharamsala conditions again.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in remarkably good form for Rajasthan. His most recent knocks include 98 not out against the Kolkata Knight Riders and 124 versus the Mumbai Indians. Punjab will be hard pressed to keep him quiet at the top of the order.

The Royals are looking in better shape to win this one than the Kings. There is still plenty on the line in this mid- to lower-table clash.