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**Punjab Kings to Face Rajasthan Royals with Short-Handed Squad, Await Stoinis and Inglis Arrival**

Mohali – The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will face the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday with a slightly depleted squad, according to assistant coach James Hope. While Hope expressed confidence in the team’s depth, he confirmed that key Australian players Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis have yet to join the squad. He anticipates their arrival early next week.

“We do not have a complete squad,” Hope stated. “We hope that Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis join us early next week.”

Despite the absence of Stoinis and Inglis, Hope emphasized his optimism, highlighting the presence of Mitchell Owens and the imminent arrival of Marco Jansen, who has been training in Dubai. Aaron Hardie is another player missing.

Hope also noted that Stoinis and Inglis haven’t been guaranteed starters in the past. “There have been certain times in the tournament that Josh and Marcus have not been selected anyway, so we are pretty bullish about our squad,” he added.

The assistant coach also addressed the team management’s decision to remain in India during the IPL’s suspension, driven by the anticipation of a swift resumption following a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. He explained that head coach Ricky Ponting, along with other coaching staff, including himself and Brad Haddin, opted to stay in India rather than return to Australia, as the potential quick turnaround made it impractical. “I was sitting in Delhi and then I was on a bus down to here. Myself, Ricky Ponting, Brad Haddin, and the rest of the management, we stayed because there was a chance that after the ceasefire that the tournament might get up and running on Thursday night. And for us to go back to Australia and come back again, I would have spent about 12 hours in my house so I didn’t think that was worth doing”

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