The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has already crossed the halfway mark, as we move onto the 40th match of the season tonight, with the inform Punjab Kings (PBKS) hosting the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at New Chandigarh. PBKS are the only unbeaten side in the competition so far, with RR being the dark horses in the tournament.
Ahead of the Royals game, former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Wasim Jaffer has dropped his verdict on the RR captain Riyan Parag’s batting position, and also the whole of the batting order of the Men in Pink. He wants the two RR openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, to fire from both ends and let Shimron Hetmyer bat at No.4 instead of Parag.
"It is very important once again for Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi to fire. Even the top four, be it Jurel, Riyan Parag. I feel they should use Hetmyer better. He should bat at four and Riyan Parag should come down. You might as well use your foreign resources better. I feel they are missing a trick by not promoting Hetmyer at four," he said on his YouTube channel.
Except for the top 3 of the Royals, consisting of Jaiswal, Sooryavanshi, and Dhruv Jurel, the other batters have failed to score many runs, especially the likes of Hetmyer and Riyan Parag, which have cost them games this season. Riyan Parag needs to bat with more responsibility as the captain of the side.
Jaiswal has not come into flow yet- Wasim Jaffer
Another small concern, discussed by Jaffer, is that Vaibhav has been better than Jaiswal, as the former cricketer believes that the senior Southpaw has scored runs, but he has not come all guns blazing. He has had scores of 10, 22, 39, and 1 in the last four games.
"Between Vaibhav and Jaiswal, Vaibhav has batted well, but Jaiswal has not come into flow yet. The entire limelight right now is with Vaibhav. If he gets into form, then they will become dangerous."
Jaiswal has scored 255 runs from eight matches so far at an average of 42.50 and a strike rate of 153.61 with two half-centuries. Yashasvi will be looking to regain their form and fire alongside his opening partner, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and provide RR a good start.
Punjab are the favourites- Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer has favoured PBKS as the favourites in the PBKS vs RR game, and if the Royals need to win the game, they need to dismiss the PBKS opening pair in the form of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, as the two have given explosive starts to the franchise and have taken the game away from the opponents.
"Priyansh and Prabhsimran are also important for Punjab. If RR make inroads there, then they have some hopes. Otherwise, Punjab are the favourites. The way these two are batting, they are a dangerous pair. That is why Punjab are at the top of the table. The brand of cricket Punjab is playing is very exciting," he said.
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