Kings XI Punjab will lock horns with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the match 28 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Chandigarh on Saturday. The home side will enter the contest as the firm favourite as they already have eight points after playing just seven matches and they will need a win to strengthen their chances of making through to the next stage. In their previous match, Punjab suffered a narrow three-wicket defeat against Mumbai Indians. In the previous five meetings between both teams, it is advantage Punjab as they've managed to win thrice compared to RCB's two victories.
In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes of in-form Lokesh Rahul, West Indies veteran explosive opener Chris Gayle and South Africa's David Miller to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Mohammad Shami, Sam Curran and captain Ravichandran Ashwin to produce timely breakthroughs.
On the other hand, RCB will come in the match knowing they don't have any more room for further mistakes if they are to secure a place in the playoffs. Virat Kohli-led unit remain the only side in the competition who are yet to win a single match. In the batting department, visitors will be relying on the likes of captain Kohli, veteran right-hander AB de Villiers and Australia's Marcus Stoinis to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on
Kings XI Punjab will lock horns with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the match 28 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Chandigarh on Saturday. The home side will enter the contest as the firm favourite as they already have eight points after playing just seven matches and they will need a win to strengthen their chances of making through to the next stage. In their previous match, Punjab suffered a narrow three-wicket defeat against Mumbai Indians. In the previous five meetings between both teams, it is advantage Punjab as they've managed to win thrice compared to RCB's two victories.
In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes of in-form Lokesh Rahul, West Indies veteran explosive opener Chris Gayle and South Africa's David Miller to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Mohammad Shami, Sam Curran and captain Ravichandran Ashwin to produce timely breakthroughs.
On the other hand, RCB will come in the match knowing they don't have any more room for further mistakes if they are to secure a place in the playoffs. Virat Kohli-led unit remain the only side in the competition who are yet to win a single match. In the batting department, visitors will be relying on the likes of captain Kohli, veteran right-hander AB de Villiers and Australia's Marcus Stoinis to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Pawan Negi to produce timely breakthroughs.
Pitch Conditions: Pitch at the venue is usually a good one for batting, but offers more assistance to the pacers compared to spinners.
Player Recommendations:
Lokesh Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
First in the list of key players features Kings XI Punjab's Lokesh Rahul. The wicketkeeper-batsman is in great form with the bat in hand as he is the leading run-scorer for the franchise in the competition with 317 runs at an average 79.25 and strike-rate of 131.53. In the team's previous match, Rahul scored a breathtaking unbeaten century but finished on the losing side.
AB de Villiers (Batsman)
Second in the list of key players features Royal Challengers Bangalore's AB de Villiers. The right-hander is in a decent form with the bat for the franchise as he has scored 173 runs in six outings at an average of 34.60. Those numbers become even more impressive if they are combined with strike-rate of 157.27. Therefore, team management will be hoping that De Villiers will once again live up the expectation and produce a match-winning performance for the franchise.
Ravichandran Ashwin (All-rounder)
Third in the list of key players features Kings XI Punjab's Ravichandran Ashwin. The 32-year-old is having a great time for the franchise where not only he is leading the side well on the field, but his own performance is being exceptional to say the least where he already has eight wickets to his name in seven outings with an strike-rate of 21 and economy-rate of 7.64.
Yuzvendra Chahal (Bowler)
Last in the list of key players features Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)'s Yuzvendra Chahal. The right-arm leggie is a proven talent in white-ball cricket and is having an outstanding tournament with the ball in hand where he is the leading wicket-taker for the franchise with nine scalps in six outings. Those numbers become even more impressive if they are combined with the economy-rate of just 6.87.
Recommendation for an uncapped player: Murugan Ashwin
Predicted Playing XI:
Kings XI Punjab: Lokesh Rahul (wicketkeeper), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, David Miller, Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin (captain), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli (captain), Parthiv Patel (wicketkeeper), AB de Villiers, Marcus Stoinis, Moeen Ali, Akshdeep Nath, Pawan Negi, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini
