Kings XI Punjab vs. Rajasthan Royals, IPL: Date, Time, TV, Live Stream, Preview

Last season's runners-up, Kings XI Punjab, start their 2015 IPL campaign with a home game against the Rajasthan Royals on Friday.

The powerful Punjab side have a familiar look, and with players of the quality of Glenn Maxwell, David Miller and Mitchell Johnson on show, they're primed for another deep run.

Rajasthan flattered to deceive last season, eventually falling just short of the knockout stages. They'll be hoping big-money signing, South African all-rounder Chris Morris, will be cash well spent.

Let's see how the two sides match up.

Venue: MCA International Stadium, Pune, Maharashtra, India 

Date: Friday, 10 April 2015

Start time: 8 p.m. Local time; 3.30 p.m. BST

Live on: Sony Six and Set Max (India), IMG (Caribbean), PCCW (Hong Kong), Maasranga TV (Bangladesh), Sky NZ (New Zealand), Sky Sports (UK), EMTV (Papua New Guinea), Measat (Malaysia), OSN Network (Middle East), StarHub (Singapore), Super Sports (Sub-Saharan Africa), Geo Super (Pakistan), Carlton Sports Network (Sri Lanka), Sportsnet (Canada), Willow TV (USA).

Weather: Conditions should be ideal in Pune on Friday, according to Accuweather. Temperatures will have cooled nicely to around 19 degrees Celsius by the start of play.

Overview

On paper at least, Kings XI Punjab have the edge over their rivals from Rajasthan. Glenn Maxwell, fresh from World Cup glory, looks the pick of the Punjab top order. South African David Miller produced a couple of spectacular innings in the World Cup and will be looking to take that form into the 20-over format.

The Indian duo of Manan Vohra and Wriddhiman Saha performed admirably in IPL 7 and should be all the better with another year's experience under the belt.

As strong as the Kings XI top order appears, there are potential weaknesses for a Royals attack led by Tim Southee and James Faulkner to exploit. The Royals praised Faulkner via Twitter:

"

3 seasons strong & only getting better, @JamesFaulkner44 is loving the @IPL with the #Royals! #AlwaysARoyal pic.twitter.com/j5JWp3Jbzi

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 9, 2015"

At 36, the clock appears to be ticking on Virender Sehwag's career. New signing Murali Vijay is certainly talented, but his IPL record is solid rather than spectacular. Perhaps the biggest question mark is against George Bailey. The skipper is short of time in the middle, having played just once in the World Cup against England on 14 February.

Lacking a genuine bowling superstar, the game will likely be decided by whether Rajasthan's collection of all-rounders can hold their nerve. New addition Juan Theron will certainly help.

If they bat first, getting a big total would help of course. The Royals are certainly capable of that. Much will rest on Steve Smith's shoulders, arguably the best batsmen in the world at the moment.

The contest in Pune on Friday will come down to whether Rajasthan's bits-and-pieces players can handle Kings XI's batting power.

The hosts are certainly the favourites, but it's hard to overlook a side that contains three members of Australia's World Cup winning XI.

Squads

Kings XI Punjab (from): George Bailey (captain), Axar Patel, Anureet Singh, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Glenn Maxwell, Gurkeerat Mann Singh, Karanveer Singh, Manan Vohra, Mitchell Johnson, Parvinder Awana, Rishi Dhawan, Sandeep Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Shaun Marsh, Shivam Sharma, Thisara Perera, Virender Sehwag, Wriddhiman Saha (W), Murali Vijay, Nikhil Naik, Yogesh Golwalkar

Rajasthan Royals (from): Shane Watson (captain), Stuart Binny, James Faulkner, Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson (W), Steve Smith, Rajat Bhatia, Tim Southee, Dhawal Kulkarni, Abhishek Nayar, Kane Richardson, Ben Cutting, Karun Nair, Deepak Hooda, Dishant Yagnik, Vikramjeet Malik, Ankit Sharma, Rahul Tewatia, Pravin Tambe, Chris Morris, Dinesh Salunkhe, Juan Theron, Pradeep Sahu, Barinder Saran, Sagar Trivedi

Key Players

Kings XI Punjab: In Glenn Maxwell and David Miller, Kings XI have two players capable of playing a record-breaking innings. Perhaps most intriguing, though, will be the form of Virender Sehwag.

Despite missing the World Cup, the veteran opener still has international ambitions. Kings XI coach Sanjay Bangar thinks that Sehwag is still in the frame for an Indian return.

Speaking in a press conference (via The Hindu), Bangar said, “He is very motivated. He is working a lot on his fitness. He had a decent first-class season too. We were practicing match situations yesterday and he was outstanding in that. As it is we all know, the kind of cricket he can play.”

Some good performances in this year's IPL and return to Indian colours could be on for Sehwag.

Rajasthan Royals: Amazingly, in 32 IPL matches, Steve Smith has yet to reach 50. The Australian will surely put that right during this year's competition.

There's no more consistent batsmen in the game at the moment. He scores quickly and is extremely difficult to dismiss. What's not to like?

Another good knock from Smith would go a long way toward helping Rajasthan spring a surprise in their opening match.