Overview:
Head-to-Head Record: PBKS 16 | RCB 13
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Coming straight from a huge win over SRH, the same opponent that had bowled them out on 68 in the reverse fixture, RCB are in great momentum. Being already in the top 4, their chances to make it to the playoffs are much higher and a win in this match make their chances stronger. All things are falling in place for RCB, except for their former skipper Virat Kohli’s return with the bat. He is struggling like never before and we could only hope for him to make a strong return.
Punjab Kings: The good news is that Jonny Bairstow has finally found form, the bad news is that their skipper Mayank Agarwal is still struggling. With just 5 Wins in 11 matches, they are currently fighting with every other team for the playoffs race other than GT and MI. A loss here would dent their chances of making it to the top 4 while a win won’t actually guarantee them a spot in the playoffs either, but it would at least keep them alive.
Probable XIs:
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood
Punjab Kings: Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal (C), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Rishi Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma
Pitch Report:
The surface will assist batting with an expected total of 180-200. The dew factor might urge the toss winning captain to go for fielding first.
Interesting Facts:
1. RCB Won just their 3rd match in their green outfit after 2011 and 2016. Coincidentally, they made it to the finals on both the occasions
2. Kohli have 3 Golden Ducks this season
3. This match will feature Top 2 IPL Runs Scorers of All Time - Virat Kohli (6499) and Shikhar Dhawan (6165).
4. Virat Kohli (10489) needs 11 more runs to complete 10,500 T20 Runs
5. Virat Kohli (6499) needs just a run to complete 6500 IPL Runs
6. Rajat Patidar (998) is just 2 runs shy of 1000 T20 Runs
7. Jitesh Sharma (1491) needs 9 more runs to complete 1500 T20 Runs
8. Virat Kohli (6499) needs just a run to complete 6500 IPL Runs
9. Mayank Agarwal (1493) needs 7 more runs to complete 1500 Runs for Punjab Kings
10. During his 56 against RR last match, Jonny Bairstow completed 4000 T20 Runs
11. Josh Hazlewood (99) needs one more wicket to complete 100 T20 Wickets
12. Kagiso Rabada (198) needs 2 more wickets complete 200 T20 Wickets
13. Rahul Chahar (96) needs 4 Wickets to complete 100 T20 Wickets
14. Kagiso Rabada (194) needs 6 more wickets complete 200 IPL Wickets
15. Virat Kohli (149) needs one more catch to complete 150 T20 Catches
16. Dinesh Karthik (199) needs one more catch to complete 200 T20 Catches
17. Mayank Agarwal (49) needs one more catch to complete 50 IPL Catches
18. Shikhar Dhawan (694) needs 6 more to become the first player to reach 700 IPL Boundaries.
19. 100th T20 For Mohammed Siraj
Dream XI:
