The stage is set for IPL and the third match is between ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE and PUNJAB KINGS. New teams and new captains for both sides and the new brigade will be vying to pocket their first match of this year’s TATA IPL 2022.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: After a heartbreak in last year's playoffs, RCB looks solid and eager to showcase its capability this year. Virat Kohli stepping down from Captaincy was a big drawback but the new captain FAF DU PLESSIS is ready to continue the legacy left by Kohli. The absence of AB De Villiers is also the big drawback but the inclusion of FAF helps them to build up a new team around him. After appointing Faf as captain, the team looks positive and motivated. Apart from Virat, Siraj who was retained by RCB has now become their leader of the pace attack and now along with Harshal Patel who bought back by RCB, they would be eagerly waiting to showcase their skills. The absence of their ace batter Glenn Maxwell and in form Josh Hazelwood might hurt them, but they are well settled with other foreign players they bought from the auction.
Punjab Kings: This year might be their year. The team on paper looks reliable and can beat anyone. KL Rahul's exit from this franchise made an impact but his buddy Mayank Agarwal took the job of leadership and will lead this side this year. The inclusion of power-hitting batters like Liam Livingstone and Johnny Bairstow makes their middle-order unbreakable. Shikhar Dhawan's entry in the opening will give Mayank some relief and he is the perfect replacement for Rahul as an opener. The second retained player of Punjab is Arshdeep Singh who cemented his name and place with this franchise by his remarkable performance last year.
Punjab Kings Squad:
Mayank Agarwal (c) , Liam Livingstone, Prerak Mankad, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shahrukh Khan, Shikhar Dhawan, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Writtick Chatterjee, Odean Smith, Sandeep Sharma, Raj Bawa, Nathan Ellis, Vaibhav Arora, Ishan Porel, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Benny Howell, Baltej Singh, Ansh Patel, Rishi Dhawan, Atharva Taide
RCB Squad:
Faf Du Plessis(C), Virat Kohli, Suyash Prabhudessai, Dinesh Karthik , Anuj Rawat, Finn Allen, Luvnith Sisodia, Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Shahbaz Ahmed, David Willey, Sherfane Rutherford, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Aneeshwar Gautam, Josh Hazlewood , Mohammed Siraj, Jason Behendroof, Siddarth Kaul, Chama Milind , Akash Deep
Probable 11:
Royal Challengers Bangalore:
Faf du Plessis (C), Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Sherfane Rutherford, Mahipal Lamror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, David Willey, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj
Punjab Kings:
Mayank Agarwal (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Liam Livingstone, Shahrukh Khan, Benny Howell, Raj Bawa, Harpreet Brar, Odean Smith/Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
Availability/injury:
- Glenn Maxwell is set to miss the first 2 matches due to his wedding.
- Hazelwood and Behrendorff also miss the first 3 matches due to the ongoing tour against Pakistan.
- Kagiso Rabada will be available from the second match.
- Johnny Bairstow will be available from the 3rd match as he is in Test squad against West Indies.
Pitch report:
A red soil pitch will be used at the DY Patil Stadium, so there will be a good bounce to offer. The pacers will enjoy in the initial overs, whereas the batters will also like the bounce on the pitch.
Timing/where to watch:
27 March / 7:30 PM (IST)
Hotstar / Star sports channel
Interesting facts / Head to head:
- RCB Played 28 Matches against Punjab in which RCB won 13 and Punjab won 15
- Chris Gayle, who has played for both sides, has scored the most runs (873) in the clashes between these teams in the IPL.
- Virat Kohli (741 runs) followed by AB de Villiers (718), and KL Rahul (517) ;now AB is retired and KL Rahul is in the LSG team.
Dream 11 Team:
