IPL 2023: Predicting 3 bowlers who could pick up the most wickets in today's PBKS vs RR fixture

In what will be their last league game of the season, Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to lock horns in Match 66 of the ongoing IPL 2023. The much-awaited fixture is scheduled to be hosted by the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Friday, May 19.

PBKS and RR both have 12 points from 13 matches and need to win their last league match to give themselves a chance of qualifying for the IPL 2023 playoffs.

However, both teams will need favorable results in other matches to stand a qualification chance. Punjab (-0.308) are eighth in the points table while Rajasthan (0.140) are sixth as they have a better Net Run Rate (NRR).

The final sprint towards a Playoff spot 🏁

Let the race begin, @rajasthanroyals! 🤜🤛

#PBKSvRR #JazbaHaiPunjabi #SaddaPunjab #TATAIPL https://t.co/Ib1xiRXUZH

This will be only the second and last fixture at Dharamsala this season, with the first game being an extremely high-scoring one. As many as 411 runs were scored in the game. However, both the PBKS and RR bowlers will want to give their respective teams an early upper hand in the contest.

On that note, let's take a look at three bowlers who could pick up the most wickets in tonight's PBKS vs RR tie.

#3 Nathan Ellis - PBKS

Nathan Ellis has kept Kagiso Rabada out of the first team for the majority of this season with his quality. Although both the overseas pacers played in the last game against the Delhi Capitals (DC), Rabada failed to prove himself.

Ellis, meanwhile, has been simply brilliant throughout the tournament. His change of pace and variations makes him a bowler for all phases of an innings. So far, the Australian pacer has bagged 12 wickets at an economy rate of just under nine across nine games.

E̶l̶ C̶l̶a̶s̶i̶c̶o̶ 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐨 ✅

Manifesting another Ellismania against the Royals 🤞🏻

#PBKSvRR #JazbaHaiPunjabi #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #TATAIPL https://t.co/UoZ9iEtZaW

Moreover, Ellis will also take confidence from his career-best bowling figures of 4/30 the last time he faced Rajasthan earlier this season. The 28-year-old will look to recreate that performance tonight.

#2 Trent Boult - RR

A bowler who is expected to enjoy the conditions at Dharamsala is Rajasthan's Trent Boult. The pacer was replaced by Adam Zampa in the last game but is expected to slot in tonight.

One of the best new-ball pacers around the globe, the Kiwi left-armer has a knack for inflicting early blows for his side. Across nine innings so far in IPL 2023, Boult has picked up 12 wickets at a brilliant strike rate of 17.00.

In 12 of their 13 games so far, PBKS have lost at least one wicket inside their first six overs. This means Boult's threat could be a cause of concern for the hosts tonight.

#1 Yuzvendra Chahal - RR

Yuzvendra Chahal has been magnificent for RR [IPLT20]

It has once again been a wonderful IPL campaign for Yuzvendra Chahal. The Indian magician has been picking up wickets for fun and has been excellent in deceiving the opposition batters.

With 21 wickets in just 13 innings, Chahal is currently the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament. His exceptional skills and experience make him an invaluable asset to the Royals' bowling unit.

Although he went wicketless in the previous game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the tweaker took two consecutive four-wicket hauls prior to the last game. RR will certainly be hoping their leading IPL wicket-taker of all-time delivers today.