Team 1: Balanced Lineup (PBKS-heavy)
Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson (RR), Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS)
Batters: Shreyas Iyer (C – PBKS), Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR), Nitish Rana (RR)
All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis (PBKS), Wanindu Hasaranga (RR), Glenn Maxwell (PBKS)
Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh (PBKS), Jofra Archer (RR), Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS), Maheesh Theekshana (RR)
Rationale:
- Shreyas Iyer (149 runs in 2 matches) is the top captaincy choice due to his explosive form 25.
- Hasaranga (5 wickets in 3 games) and Chahal (spin-friendly pitch) are key bowlers 48.
- Includes PBKS’s top order and RR’s middle-order firepower.
Team 2: Aggressive Batting Focus
Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson (VC – RR), Dhruv Jurel (RR)
Batters: Shreyas Iyer (PBKS), Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR), Priyansh Arya (PBKS)
All-rounders: Riyan Parag (RR), Marco Jansen (PBKS), Wanindu Hasaranga (RR)
Bowlers: Jofra Archer (RR), Arshdeep Singh (PBKS), Sandeep Sharma (RR)
Impact Player: Nehal Wadhera (PBKS)
Rationale:
- Samson (returning as captain) and Jaiswal (potential breakout innings) offer high-risk, high-reward options 67.
- Arshdeep Singh (5 wickets) and Archer (pace threat) anchor the bowling 59.
- Targets Mullanpur’s early pace-friendly conditions 3.
Team 3: Spin-Dominant Strategy
Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson (RR)
Batters: Shreyas Iyer (C – PBKS), Nitish Rana (RR), Nehal Wadhera (PBKS)
All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell (PBKS), Wanindu Hasaranga (RR), Marcus Stoinis (PBKS)
Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS), Maheesh Theekshana (RR), Tushar Deshpande (RR), Harpreet Brar (PBKS)
Rationale:
- Leverages Mullanpur’s spin-friendly track, with Chahal and Theekshana as prime picks 28.
- Maxwell and Hasaranga add all-round depth 79.
- Nitish Rana (81* vs CSK) strengthens the middle order 7.
Team 4: Differential Picks for High Risk-Reward
Wicketkeepers: Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS)
Batters: Shreyas Iyer (PBKS), Riyan Parag (RR), Shashank Singh (PBKS)
All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis (VC – PBKS), Azmatullah Omarzai (PBKS), Shimron Hetmyer (RR)
Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh (PBKS), Jofra Archer (RR), Lockie Ferguson (PBKS), Sandeep Sharma (RR)
Rationale:
- Shashank Singh (underrated finisher) and Omarzai (lower-order hitter) as differentials 28.
- Stoinis (all-round impact) and Ferguson (pace) exploit Mullanpur’s bounce 46.
- Targets PBKS’s death-bowling strength 5.
Team 5: Chasing-Friendly Lineup
Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson (C – RR), Dhruv Jurel (RR)
Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR), Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS), Priyansh Arya (PBKS)
All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga (RR), Glenn Maxwell (PBKS), Marcus Stoinis (PBKS)
Bowlers: Jofra Archer (RR), Arshdeep Singh (PBKS), Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS)
Impact Player: Shubham Dubey (RR)
Rationale:
- Assumes dew factor in the second innings, favoring chasing teams 39.
- Samson (C) and Jaiswal capitalize on powerplay conditions 6.
- Maxwell and Hasaranga provide flexibility for batting/bowling adjustments 78.
Key Factors to Consider
- Pitch Dynamics: Mullanpur’s surface supports spinners early and pacers in the powerplay 23.
- Form Players: Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) and Nitish Rana (RR) are in prime form 57.
- Head-to-Head: RR leads 16–12, but PBKS has momentum 46.
- Weather: Hot daytime (39°C) cooling to 25°C by evening—no rain expected 68.
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