What

Match 3 of Pepsi IPL 2015 will feature Kings XI Punjab’s pitted against the Rajasthan Royals.

Pepsi IPL 2014 was KXIP’s best-ever season; not only did they finish on top of the standings, but they also made their first ever appearance in an IPL title-clash where they finished second-best to Kolkata Knight Riders. The franchise has not made too many changes to the squad that did duty for them last season and will be hoping the players can pull in a similar performance this time too, only go the extra yard to clinch the silverware.

There has always been a sense of continuity in the Rajasthan Royals’ scheme of things – be it with their philosophies, consistency in selection or keeping their coaching squad. The franchise, who missed out on a Playoff spot in Pepsi IPL 2014 by the narrowest of margins, have retained almost the same squad that took the field last season. Only this time around, they will not necessarily begin as underdogs – as has been the case with them generally – because of the presence of three World Cup winners and several others who impressed in the recently concluded World Cup. In his chat with the media recently RR skipper Shane Watson admitted that his team had more match-winners than they’ve ever had and that would compel fans to see the team in a different light this season; he said “I think it’s just very exciting. In the squad that we have got this IPL season, we have match-winners all the way, more than in the past. We have world-class match-winners as well.”

When

10 April 2015, 8p.m. IST

Where

MCA International Stadium, Pune

The Protagonists

Glenn Maxwell’s stock rose several notches with his performances in Pepsi IPL 2014. His performances during the recently concluded World Cup 2015 further enhanced his reputation to the extent that some consider him to be the most dangerous cricketer in world cricket at the moment. The Australian batsman, has a variety of strokes, and has the ability to deposit the ball to every corner of the cricket ground. He was the leading six-hitter in Pepsi IPL 2014 – with 36 hits over the fence. Among the others, Virender Sehwag will be expected to see the team off to a quick start, while a raging Mitchell Johnson will be expected to put the skids on the RR batsmen frequently.

The Rajasthan Royals will be looking towards their World Cup winners – skipper Shane Watson, Steve Smith and James Faulkner – to do the bulk of the damage. Smith in particular must be extremely high on confidence after the magnificent summer he has had; in five months preceding the Pepsi IPL 2015 season, he has accumulated 1651 runs in 23 innings across all formats of international cricket at a staggering average of 91.72. Among others, Ajinkya Rahane is a vital cog in RR’s scheme of things; the 26-year old has the technique and temperament to either dig in and play the sheet anchor’s role or explode and pile up the runs in quick time.

Contests to look-forward to

One certainly shouldn’t miss out on the contest between Kings XI Punjab’s Mitchell Johnson and the Rajasthan Royals’ Shane Watson & Steve Smith. The three players were key characters in Australia’s successful run to the World Cup. Come 10 April 2015, a menacing Johnson donning a KXIP jersey will be running into Watson, and Smith, who in particular cannot seem to do anything wrong at the moment.

Previous Meetings

Though Kings XI Punjab got the better of the Rajasthan Royals on both occasions last season, it is the latter who have a better overall record in meetings between the two teams. RR have won 8 of their 13 matches against KXIP.

Trivia

George Bailey has an outstanding record as KXIP captain. He has led KXIP to 12 wins in 17 matches.

11 of the 17 IPL matches at the MCA International Stadium in Pune have been won by the team batting first.

Rajasthan Royals’ Pravin Tambe currently holds the record for being the oldest cricketer to play in the IPL; he was 42 years and 229 days when he last took the field. Come match day, he will be 43 years and 184 days old.

What Next

The Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals will be seen in action next on April 12. While RR head to the national capital Delhi to take on the Delhi Daredevils, KXIP fly westwards to Mumbai to clash with the Mumbai Indians in the late evening fixture.