March 27: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, DY Patil Stadium
Safe XI: Dinesh Karthik, Shikhar Dhawan, Faf du Plessis (vice-capt), Mayank Agarwal (capt), Shahrukh Khan, Liam Livingstone, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Rahul Chahar
Captain: Mayank Agarwal
Punjab Kings' new captain is a consistent performer when it comes to IPL. He has scored 865 runs in the last two seasons at a strike rate of 147.86, which is the best strike rate among all top ten run scorers in this period. In the only previous game he captained Kings, he scored a stellar 99* off 58 balls against Delhi Capitals last season.
Vice-captain: Faf du Plessis
After ending a ten-year association with Chennai Super Kings, du Plessis begins his new assignment as captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore. He has always had a liking for Kings, scoring 614 runs in 12 innings against them at an average of 61.40. His recent scores against Punjab are 76, 36, 48, 87, 96 and 54.
Hot picks
Shikhar Dhawan: One of the most solid openers in the history of this league, Shikhar Dhawan will look to make an immediate impact with his new franchise Punjab Kings. He is the league's second highest run scorer since the start of the 2020 season, with 1205 runs in 33 outings at an average of 41.55.
Harshal Patel: The Haryana pacer won the purple cap last season, having taken 32 wickets in 15 games, which is the joint-most wickets ever in an IPL season. After that memorable season, he was handed an India debut in T20Is, where he impressed with 11 wickets in eight outings.
Differential picks
Arshdeep Singh: The left-arm seamer had a breakthrough 2021 season, picking up 18 wickets in 12 games for Punjab Kings. He will look to carry that momentum into this season too.
Shahrukh Khan: The young middle-order batter is one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball in this tournament. In the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, he scored a 15-ball unbeaten 33 in a low scoring affair, which helped Tamil Nadu to retain the trophy. With five needed off the last ball, he smashed a six to take his side home.
High Risk XI: Anuj Rawat, Shikhar Dhawan (capt), Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Sherfane Rutherford, Wanindu Hasaranga, Arshdeep Singh (vice-capt), Harpreet Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Odean Smith