PBKS vs RR Live Score: Punjab Kings’ Key Player Opens Batting with Jonny Bairstow in Shikhar Dhawan’s Absence

Earlier, RR skipper Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bowl against Sam Curran-led PBKS. England all-rounder Curran is guiding PBKS after regular skipper Shikhar Dhawan sat out with a niggle.

For PBKS, Atharva Taide replaced Dhawan, while Liam Livingstone also returned to the XI. Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin will miss out with Rovman Powell and Tanush Kotian coming in for RR.

“Jos isn’t 100%, Ash bhai is having a niggle,” Samson said during the toss. Trent Boult to Atharva Taide – This one just nips back in.

On a length and on off, Atharva Taide hits it to mid on for one more. He has started well here.

Trent Boult to Atharva Taide – On a length and around off. Atharva Taide blocks it out.

Kuldeep Sen to Atharva Taide – Length and outside off, Atharva Taide plays it in front of square on the off side for one. 13 runs of the over.

Kuldeep Sen to Jonny Bairstow – Short in length and outside off, Jonny Bairstow cuts it to deep backward point for a single. Kuldeep Sen to Atharva Taide – Sloppy fielding again!

Sneaks one here. Full and outside off.

Atharva Taide knocks it to mid off. Keshav Maharaj half-stops and a single is taken.

Kuldeep Sen to Atharva Taide – Two more! 10 runs already of the first three balls.

On middle, fuller and it is flicked through square leg for a couple. A fumble allows Punjab to come for the second.

Kuldeep Sen to Atharva Taide – FOUR! Another one!

This time to the left of point. Atharva Taide is trying to make his mark.

Length ball, outside off. Atharva Taide leans and drives it through covers for a boundary.

Kuldeep Sen to Atharva Taide – FOUR! Welcomes Kuldeep Sen with a wonderful stroke.

Pitched up, outside off. Atharva Taide punches it to the right of point for a boundary.

Kuldeep Sen to steam in from the other end. Trent Boult to Atharva Taide – Shorter and on the hips.

Atharva Taide misses his flick and it rolls to point for a single. Given as a leg bye.

Trent Boult to Atharva Taide – Very close! A length ball, outside off, it lands and swings away.

Atharva Taide looks to push it across but misses it. We are all set for the game to begin!

The two umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of Rajasthan. It will be Atharva Taide to open the innings for Punjab alongside Jonny Bairstow.

Trent Boult has the new ball in hand and will be looking to find some early swing. Let’s play…

Impact Players nominated by Punjab – Rahul Chahar, Ashutosh Sharma, Vidwath Kaverappa, Harpreet Singh, Nathan Ellis.

Punjab (Playing XI) – Jonny Bairstow, Atharva Taide, Prabhsimran Singh, Atharva Taide (In for Shikhar Dhawan), Liam Livingstone (In for Sikandar Raza), Jitesh Sharma, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada.