RR vs PBKS Predicted Playing XI: Iyer may hand debut cap to Owen to end 10-year wait for playoffs, Samson to return with Burger

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025's resumption was dull as rain played spoilsport in Bengaluru. A day later, Shreyas Iyer's Punjab Kings' (PBKS) will look to script history by confirming their spot in the playoffs after a long wait for a decade. The last time PBKS qualified for playoffs, current Australia chief selector George Bailey was their captain and Rajasthan Royals' (RR) young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi was just a toddler.

A lot has changed after the IPL 2025 was suspended for a week amidst military conflict between India and Pakistan. A few overseas players have pulled out due to national commitments, injuries or personal reasons. PBKS have made a few changes as well. Now, young Australian batter Mitchell Owen has joined the side as Glenn Maxwell's repalcement and is likely to start against RR. Owen is likely to fill in the spot left vacant by Josh Inglis. New Zealand's tall fast bowler Kyle Jamieson may mark his IPL return as well. The Kiwi pacer joined as Ferguson's replacement. Iyer may also be inclined to play with left-arm spinner considering the conditions.

PBKS' predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Mitchell Owen, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Yuzvendra Chahal

ALSO READ: Former India all-rounder smashes 32 runs in an over enroute 60-ball ODI ton, Gujarat-born batter scores unbeaten 152 as USA beat Canada by 169 runs

RR are already out of the playoffs race. The break has given their captain Sanju Samson time to regain fitness. He will lead the side against PBKS. RR may not look to make changes to their batting order barring Samson. They may go with three spinners considering the conditions in the day game. In the absence of Jofra Archer, either Fazalhaq Farooqi or Kwena Maphaka will bowl in the powerplay overs.

RR's predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Fazalhaq Farooqi/Kwena Maphaka.

ALSO READ: 22-year-old Parvez Emon ends Bangladesh's 9-year-long wait for 2nd T20I century, Litton Das-led side beats UAE by 27 runs

RR vs PBKS Pitch Report -

Since it is a day game, the pitch is expected to assist spinners in Jaipur's hot weather. Dew is unlikely to come into play until the slog overs of the second innings. So far, there have been a few high-scoring games in Jaipur and it is expected to stay that way.

RR vs PBKS Full Squads:

RR Full Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kunal Singh Rathore, Riyan Parag(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Wanindu Hasaranga, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Maheesh Theekshana, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Akash Madhwal, Sanju Samson, Tushar Deshpande, Kumar Kartikeya, Nandre Burger, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ashok Sharma

PBKS Full Squad: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer(c), Josh Inglis(w), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Praveen Dubey, Yash Thakur, Kyle Jamieson, Xavier Bartlett, Vishnu Vinod, Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, Mitchell Owen, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash