IPL 2026: PBKS unleash Lockie Ferguson as pace weapon; RR opt to bowl

NEW DELHI: League leaders Punjab Kings handed a large boost to their bowling onslaught with the inclusion of Lockie Ferguson arsenic they took connected Rajasthan Royals successful a important Indian Premier League 2026 clash connected Tuesday.Rajasthan skipper

Riyan Parag

won the flip and opted to vessel archetypal astatine the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, citing aboriginal moisture owed to caller rainfall and unreality cover.

Ferguson boost for unbeaten Punjab

All eyes were connected Punjab’s squad expanse arsenic the hosts brought successful explicit pacer Ferguson successful spot of Xavier Bartlett, signalling a wide intent to sharpen their gait attack. The New Zealand quick’s earthy velocity is expected to play a cardinal role, particularly nether conditions that could assistance seamers aboriginal on.Punjab besides made a forced change, with Suryansh Shedge replacing Shashank Singh successful the XI.Captain

Shreyas Iyer

admitted helium would person preferred to vessel archetypal but remained assured successful his side’s adaptability.

“Any clip you bat oregon bowl, it’s a large challenge. All of america are proactive irrespective of the toss,” helium said.Speaking astir consistency, Iyer added, “We person a definite extremity to execute and we cognize the eventual goal. Our mindset is astir maintaining standards and values. It’s been superb truthful far, and we request to support the momentum going.”Punjab caput into the contention arsenic the lone unbeaten broadside this play and volition beryllium keen to consolidate their presumption astatine the apical of the table.

Royals look to exploit aboriginal conditions

For Rajasthan, Parag emphasised the value of making aboriginal inroads. “There’s a small moisture astatine the start, truthful we’re trying to extract that and get a fewer aboriginal wickets,” helium said.The Royals made 2 changes of their own, bringing successful Dasun Shanaka for Shimron Hetmyer and Yash Punja successful spot of Ravi Bishnoi.Currently placed fourth, Rajasthan person a accidental to ascent higher with a win, but they look a assured Punjab portion riding a question of momentum.With Ferguson’s gait added to an already potent onslaught featuring Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen, Punjab volition look to marque aboriginal breakthroughs and widen their ascendant tally successful IPL 2026.

PBKS vs RR Playing XIs

Punjab Kings XI: Prabhsimran Singh(w), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer(c), Cooper Connolly, Suryansh Shedge, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra ChahalRajasthan Royals XI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel(w), Riyan Parag(c), Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, Yash Raj Punja