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Brandon Moyo, [email protected]

CHEVRONS T20I captain Sikandar Raza has not played a game yet in the current Indian Premier League (IPL) season. 

Retained by Punjab Kings, the team has not played Raza due to a rule that limits each team to four overseas players. 

While Punjab Kings won its opener against Delhi Capitals by four wickets, Raza watched from the pavilion as all-rounders Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran were given game time. 

The team lost its second match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which featured a batting masterclass from Virat Kohli. Last season, Raza scored 139 runs in seven innings and picked up three wickets.

Other two overseas players that have been playing regularly are Kagiso Rabada and Jonny Bairstow.

Bowling first, Punjab Kings restricted Delhi Capitals to 174/9 in 20 overs and went on to chase down the target in 19,2 overs, scoring 177/6. 

Sikandar Raza

Curran was named player of the match for his 63 runs off 47 deliveries.

Their second game was yet another thriller against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which, however, they lost by four wickets.

Punjab Kings were restricted to 176/6 and RCB overhauled the target in 19,2 overs, finishing on 178/6, courtesy of a Kohli batting masterclass.

In his debut season last year, Raza made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean to score a half century and be named player of the match in the IPL. 

He top scored with 57 runs off 42 deliveries to help Punjab Kings beat Lucknow Super Giants. Raza took one wicket in two overs for 19 runs as they restricted Super Giants to 158/8 in 20 overs and went on to top score with 57 runs to help his team finish on 161/8 to win with three balls to spare.

Last season, he scored 139 runs in seven innings at an average of 27,8 and a strike rate of 141,83. He also picked up three wickets with best figures of 1/19 with an economy rate of 9,91 and an average of 39,66.

Chevrons legend, Andy Flower is in the dugout of RCB as head coach after replacing Sanjay Bangar.