IPL 2019 RR vs KXIP: Rajasthan opt to field; KXIP hand debut to Pooran

Steve Smith, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer are the four foreigners for Rajasthan Royals. KXIP have gone in with Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Sam Curran

Rajasthan Royals opted to bowl first against Kings XI Punjab in their IPL 2019 opener at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday. 

The Royals, who have a formidable record at home, have picked Steve Smith, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer as their four foreigners. Steve Smith makes a comeback after missing out on the last season because of a ball-tampering scandal.

"It's important to start well, and the preparation that we have had has been fantastic. We need to start well, get some momentum, and stay in the moment," said Rajasthan Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane.

Kings XI Punjab, on the other hand, have gone with Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Sam Curran. 

"New recruits in the side, lots of young talent. New season, new hopes. Don't think the wicket will change much, but we were also looking to bowl first. Hopefully, with our bowling attack, we can defend the score," said KXIP captain R Ashwin.

.@ajinkyarahane88 wins the toss and elects to bowl first against @lionsdenkxip #VIVOIPL #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/BDIEvDkL1c

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 25, 2019

Pitch Report

Both captains reckoned the pitch is going to be a good one to bat and won't change much as the game progresses. But former Australian captain Michael Clarke in his pitch report had mentioned the track might just be a bit two-paced. 

Kings XI Punjab (Playing XI): Chris Gayle, Lokesh Rahul(w), Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ankit Rajpoot

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane(c), Jos Buttler(w), Steven Smith, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson, Krishnappa Gowtham, Rahul Tripathi, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni