In their respective first match of the IPL season 2019, Rajasthan Royals are all set to face Kings XI Punjab after Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and chose to field first against a batting heavy Kings XI side with the 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle opening the innings with KL Rahul.
With the pitch looking a bit two paced, it is certainly expected to play better than it looks. Both the captains looked excited and looking forward to a good start to the season.
"New recruits in the side, lots of young talent. New season, new hopes. Don't think the wicket will change much, but we were also looking to bowl first. As far as this bunch goes, they are very keen, and there is no baggage from the past, so we don't care about the old records. Our overseas players - Pooran, Gayle, Mujeeb and Sam Curran," said the excited Punjab captain Ravichandran Ashwin.
On the other hand, Ajinkya Rahane will have a 'raring to go' Steve Smith and a power hitter Jos Buttler with Jofra Archer a bowling option which will lead the Rajasthan attack.
"It's important to start well, and the preparation that we have had has been fantastic. We need to start well, get some momentum, and stay in the moment. We'll bowl first. Looks like a good wicket. Won't change much. It's all about staying in the process and staying in the process. Jos Buttler, Archer, Smith, Stokes - our overseas players," said Rahane after winning the toss.
Kings XI Punjab (Playing XI): Chris Gayle, Lokesh Rahul(w), Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ankit Rajpoot
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane(c), Jos Buttler(w), Steven Smith, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson, Krishnappa Gowtham, Rahul Tripathi, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni