RCB have got back to winning ways having notched up 2 consecutive wins over MI and RR. They now run into Punjab against whom they don’t have a great record lately. RCB have lost their last 3 games against Punjab. They don’t necessarily like playing against them. Punjab hold a slight edge in this contest, lets Analyse more about RCB vs PK Match.
RCB vs PK: Form preview
Bangalore’s quest for the maiden title:
RCB lost 2 games in a row post landing in UAE. The whispers of another campaign going haywire started gaining momentum. But RCB put all those rumours to rest with successive wins over MI and RR. They looked a complete unit in both the games. RCB are currently sitting pretty with 7 wins. They will love to notch up a few more wins in the quest to end in the top-2. RCB very well know how it feels to miss out on playing the first qualifier. They will do everything in their capacity to grab those points.
Are Punjab heading for the last dance?
Punjab lost a game against RR they had no business losing. Needing to win 10 from the last 15 balls, they went on to lose the game by 2 runs. They have won 2 out of their next 3 games albeit both in the last over. Punjab are currently placed 5th in the points table. They need to win both their remaining games in order to qualify for the playoffs. Punjab will take confidence from the fact that they had defeated RCB earlier in the season. It promises to be an interesting encounter.
RCB vs PK: Favourites?
RCB will be eyeing for a top-2 finish and grabbing as many wins as possible in the business end. But they run into Punjab, a side who has a favourable record against them in recent times. PK might just have a slight psychological edge in this game.
Which players will be match-winners in this game?
Glenn Maxwell will fancy his chances against his former team, Punjab Kings going into this game.
KL Rahul averages highest against RCB (74.2) and strikes the best against them (155.23). He will be PK’s main man.
X-factor player:
Devdutt Padikkal has had a quiet couple of games in the UAE. He will be keen to get back amongst the runs. Mayank Agarwal’s opening blitz is crucial for PK. His partnership with Rahul may well define the outcome of the match.
Probable Playing XI:
Royal Challengers Bangalore predicted XI:
Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Srikar Bharat, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga/Daniel Christian, Kyle Jamieson/George Garton, Harshal Patel, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
Punjab Kings predicted XI:
KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Chris Jordan, Harpreet Brar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh
What do stats say about RCB vs PK?
RCB and PK have played 27 IPL games against each other.
RCB has won 12 games. PK has won 15 matches.
RCB’s highest score against PK is 226. PK’s highest score against RCB is 232.
RCB’s lowest score against PK is 84. PK’s lowest score against RCB is 88.
Pitch:
Sharjah pitch has behaved strangely. It hasn’t been a true surface. Batsmen have failed to get going. Teams will find it difficult to chase a par score in these conditions.
Weather Report:
A high of 38 degrees and a low of 31 degrees is expected. There are no chances of rain. This being a day game there won’t be any dew.
Ground stats:
Teams batting first have won 60% of the games at this venue. But of late owing to the dew, teams have preferred chasing at this venue. This season the average scores have come down drastically. A score of around 150+ will be challenging at Sharjah.
StumpsandBails verdict:
PK walk into this game the more hungrier side out of the two and they have a good record against RCB lately.
