The Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has already passed the halfway mark as we head into the 40th match of the season tonight, with Punjab Kings (PBKS) hosting Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the New Chandigarh. PBKS is the only unbeaten team in the competition so far, RR is the hidden horse in the tournament.
Ahead of the Royals game, former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batsman Wasim Jaffer has given his verdict on RR skipper Riyan Parag’s batting position and the entire batting order of the Men in Pink. He wants RR’s two openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, to perform aggressively from both ends and let Shimron Hetmyer bat at No. 4 instead of Parag.
Riyan Parag should step down – Wasim Jaffer
“It is very important for Jaiswal and Suryavanshi to perform well once again. Even the top four, be it Jurel, Ryan Parag. I think they should use Hetmyer better. They should bat at number four and Ryan Parag should come down. You can use your overseas resources better. I think they are missing a trick by not promoting Hetmyer at number four,” he said on his YouTube channel.
Barring the Royals’ top 3 batsmen, which include Jaiswal, Suryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel, other batsmen have failed to score much runs, especially batsmen like Hetmyer and Ryan Parag, which has led to them losing matches this season. As the captain of the team, Riyan Parag needs to bat with more responsibility.
Jaiswal has not yet come into flow – Wasim Jaffer
Another minor concern discussed by Jaffer is that Vaibhav has been better than Jaiswal, as the former cricketer believes that while the senior southpaw has scored runs, he has not been completely aggressive. His scores in the last four matches have been 10, 22, 39 and 1.
“Between Vaibhav and Jaiswal, Vaibhav has batted well, but Jaiswal has not come into the flow yet. Right now the entire limelight is with Vaibhav. If he gets in form, he will become dangerous.”
Jaiswal has so far scored 255 runs in eight matches at an average of 42.50 and strike rate of 153.61 with two half-centuries. Yashasvi, along with his opening partner Vaibhav Suryavanshi, would like to regain his form and enthusiasm and give RR a good start.
Punjab is favorite – Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer has rated PBKS as favorites in the PBKS vs RR game, and if the Royals have to win the game, they will have to dismiss the PBKS opening pair in the form of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, as the duo have given explosive starts to the franchise and taken the game away from the opponents.
He said, “Priyansh and Prabhasimran are also important for Punjab. If RR makes inroads there, they have some hopes. Otherwise, Punjab is the favourite. The way these two are batting, they are a dangerous pair. That is why Punjab is on top of the table. The kind of cricket Punjab is playing is very exciting.”
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