Get ready for an exciting match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, happening at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. The Kings have won two matches but faced two losses before winning a nail-biting two-wicket game against Lucknow Super Giants. Captain Shikhar Dhawan and all-rounder Liam Livingstone are facing fitness concerns. Livingstone has been out of the game due to injury, but the team found unexpected heroes to fill the gaps. Sam Curran led the bowling attack, while Sikander Raza emerged as a new batting hero against Super Giants. Shahrukh Khan, the designated finisher, delivered the winning touches in the previous game.
Punjab Kings has an impressive bowling lineup with Sam Curran, Arshdeep Singh, and Kagiso Rabada. In contrast, RCB’s bowling has been in the spotlight lately, with Mohammed Siraj being their standout performer. However, RCB has struggled to control the runs in the latter part of the innings.
RCB’s batting lineup is formidable, featuring the current and former captains Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, as well as the explosive Glenn Maxwell. In their previous game against Chennai Super Kings, the team almost chased down a record target with Maxwell and du Plessis leading the charge. The team will also be encouraged by the return to form of Dinesh Karthik and the batting of impact sub Suyash Prabhudesai.
The pitch report suggests that chasing is more comfortable at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, but it hasn’t always resulted in desired outcomes. The weather forecast predicts partly cloudy conditions, providing some respite from the scorching heat wave in the north.
The Kings’ management is grappling with the fitness concerns of Dhawan and Livingstone, and both players will undergo assessments on the eve of the game. If they are deemed match-fit, both could walk into the XI straightaway. Rabada has a fantastic record against RCB, with 16 wickets in seven outings, including his tournament-best figures of 4/21.
For RCB, Josh Hazlewood is a doubtful starter due to his lengthy Achilles tendinitis injury. Kohli has a strike rate of 171.43 against the Kings’ left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, setting up an exciting match-up.
Here are the probable XI for both teams:
Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Prabhsimran Singh, Matthew Short/Liam Livingstone, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Wayne Parnell, Vijay Shankar, Mohammed Siraj.
According to the prediction, this match promises to be a closely contested encounter with both teams having plenty of firepower. Royal Challengers Bangalore has a slightly better chance of winning with a 52% chance compared to Punjab Kings’ 48%. However, any small mistake or slip-up could cost either team the game. We predict RCB to win this match.
