It’s match-day 9 in the Dream11 Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 as Rajasthan Royals (RR) square off against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

RR made a solid start to their IPL 2020 campaign, beating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 16 runs. While Sanju Samson and Steve Smith scored an impressive 74 and 69 respectively, and Jofra Archer chipped in with a quickfire 27* off 8, Rahul Tewatia picked up three to power RR to a win.

Coming to KXIP, they bounced back in style following a Super Over-defeat against Delhi Capitals and beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on the back of a KL Rahul batting masterclass on Thursday. KXIP spinners – Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin – played their part to seal a big 97-run win.

With RR and KXIP both looking to continue their winning run and add two more points to their account, we may witness a mouth-watering clash in Sharjah and here are our picks who could make a difference to the fortunes of their teams.

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson was pivotal for RR’s success in their opening game against CSK. He smashed 74 off 32 and then did a fine job as wicketkeeper taking 2 catches and as many stumpings. With his ability to time the ball to perfection and score at a brisk pace, RR won’t mind if Samson has an encore of the performance he put up against CSK.

KL Rahul

The KXIP skipper was on a roll, leading from the front, as he slammed 132* off 69 balls to set up a 97-run win. The wicketkeeper-batsman, who led his side for only the second time, hit 14 fours and 7 sixes in his whirlwind innings and KXIP will once again hope that the stylish right-hander comes out all guns blazing against RR.

Jos Buttler

The mandatory quarantine is over, and Jos Buttler is ready to tee off his IPL 2020 campaign. The England wicketkeeper-batsman is expected to open the innings for RR and his destructive abilities with the bat need no introduction. The right-hander can tonk the ball and can also be extremely cheeky in his batting approach. As RR now seek their second win in a row, Buttler will be the player they will bank on.

Sheldon Cottrell

The left-arm pacer picked up two wickets, including that of Virat Kohli, during KXIP’s win over RCB, and Sheldon Cottrell will be pumped up to add a few more wickets (and those Salutes) to his account as KXIP take on RR.

Ravi Bishnoi

These may still be the early days, but Ravi Bishnoi is turning out to be KXIP’s first-choice spin-bowling option. The young leg-spinner picked up a wicket against DC in his first IPL game before scalping three during KXIP’s win against RCB. KXIP will want him to continue his good run of form and guide them to their second win of the season.

Wild Card

Rahul Tewatia

Traded to RR ahead of IPL 2020, Rahul Tewatia repaid the faith his side showed in him. He picked up three wickets during RR’s 16-run win over CSK. The leg-spinning all-rounder will look to take his good form into RR’s second game as the team looks to continue their winning run.

Stats

• RR has lost their only game against KXIP at this venue in 2014
• KXIP (overall) record at this venue: Played 2, Won 2

Approaching Milestone

• Sanju Samson needs 2 sixes to complete 100 IPL sixes and needs 62 runs to complete 1000 IPL runs as wicketkeeper
• Jos Buttler needs 114 runs to complete 1500 IPL runs
• KL Rahul needs 95 runs to complete 1500 IPL runs for KXIP

·  Karun Nair needs 20 runs to complete 1500 IPL runs