• Source:JND
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PBKS vs RR, IPL 2024: Shikhar Dhawan wasn't available for selection in the Punjab Kings' match against Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Saturday, April 13.

Punjab's star all-rounder Sam Curran came out at the toss and will be leading the side as a stand-in captain.

Curran revealed the reason for Dhawan's absence in the match at the toss.

"Shikhar picked up a niggle, that's why I'm here," Curran said at the toss.

"We would have bowled first as well, but we'll now have to put the runs on the board. The balance has been good, we'd have liked to win a few more games, but the middle-order looks good, especially Shashank and Ashutosh. We've got exciting players and plenty of quality. We've Atharva Taide coming in for Shikhar tonight, Livingstone is back as well," he added.

Atharva Taide was named as a replacement for Dhawan in the Punjab's playing XI.

Dhawan, who is the main pillar of Punjab's batting unit has had a disappointing campaign with the bat so far.

He has scored just 152 runs in the five matches so far with Punjab struggling at eighth position in the points table with just two wins under their belt.

Punjab will be missing the service of Dhawan, considering his promising record against Rajasthan.

The batter has scored 679 in 24 innings against RR in his IPL career so far with an average excess of 32.

He has smashed seven fifties against the Royals in IPL with his highest score being 86 which came while playing for Punjab last year.

Talking about the toss, Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson opted to bowl first aiming to return back to the winning ways.

"We'll bowl first, it looks like a decent wicket to bowl first. We've made a target to not think about the goal, focus on the process, work on building the team and we're doing well. A lot of challenges outside as well, we've many players missing from tonight's game. 90% of the game was good - Jos isn't 100%, Ash bhai is having a niggle, so Rovman and Kotian come into the XI," said Samson at the toss.

 

PBKS vs RR Playing XIs, IPL 2024 Match 27

Punjab Kings: Jonny Bairstow, Atharva Taide, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada

Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Tanush Kotian, Keshav Maharaj, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Yuzvendra Chahal