IPL match preview: Rajasthan Royals v Punjab Kings

The Royals head into this fixture on the back of a comfortable win over the Sunrisers Hyderbad last week, when three half-centurions and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal starred. Chahal is off to a solid start this season after finishing as the top wicket-taker in the 2022 IPL.

Jos Buttler was the ultimate converter in 2022, pushing four half-tons into centuries. Buttler, Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal struck half-tons against the Sunrisers - and will be mindful of the ongoing need for greater conversion.

Punjab were solid in victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders recently, which bodes well for their momentum going into this fixture. They will likely be harder pressed against the Royals, though. Shikhar Dhawan and Arshdeep Singh should both be key again with bat and ball, respectively.

The Kings went without Liam Livingstone for their first match of the 2023 IPL season, but he might be in the XI this time, subject to match fitness. If Livingstone does play, he'll be a major boost to the batting - and could even open the order alongside Dhawan.

The Rajasthan Royals have won four of their last five matches against the Punjab Kings. Three of those four wins have been achieved batting second.

Trent Boult is a trendsetter for the Rajasthan Royals and, no longer contracted by New Zealand, is trotting the domestic T20 circuit around the world as a veritable freelancer. His knack for striking in his opening over is all but prolific.

Punjab opened the bowling with Sam Curran last time and batted him in the middle order. They could well to push  the left-hander a bit higher, especially batting alongside a right-hander to truly test the bowlers' early lines. 

Both teams are looking to build on previous victories, but its the Royals that look the more primed to do so than the Kings. There's a certain balance to their squad - and potential playing XI - that pledges better, stronger, bigger than most other IPL franchises.