🏏IPL 2024 ~ Match N6 ~ RCB vs PBKS in Bengaluru @7.30 PM IST 🏏

🏏Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings at Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru, on 25/03/23 at 07.30 PM IST

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Faf du Plessis’ RCB will host Shikhar Dhawan’s PBKS in the sixth match of the Indian Premier League 2024 season at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday.

While RCB lost their opening match to Chennai Super Kings by six wickets, PBKS secured a win over Delhi Capitals by four wickets on Saturday. RCB’s capitulation in Chennai against CSK will force the team management to ring in a few early changes to its combination. Given the nature of the batting-friendly pitches in Bengaluru, PBKS will largely retain the XI they played against Delhi in Mullanpur.

Big Picture

After a defeat at Chepauk against Chennai Super Kings, RCB are set to begin a three-match stretch at home. Over the years, their attempts to make the M Chinnaswamy Stadium a fortress have not borne fruit, and it is not going to be any easier on Monday when they face Punjab Kings.

The Chinnaswamy is known for its flat pitches and high-scoring games, and Kings' batting line-up - packed with power-hitters - seems to be tailor-made for it. They will also carry the confidence of having won their opening match against Delhi Capitals, where most of their batters looked in good nick.

Against CSK, RCB's batting had come undone against Mustafizur Rahman's offcutters. Kings, too, have a left-arm seamer in Arshdeep Singh who has an offcutter and a recently developed legcutter. While Kings will be hoping he plays a similar role for them, the ball is unlikely to grip at the Chinnaswamy, especially during a night game.

The silver lining for RCB in their defeat to CSK was Anuj Rawat's performance. After they were reduced to 78 for 5, Rawat smashed 48 off 25 to revive the innings. If he can make regular contributions, it will help RCB solve their death-overs troubles; they were the second-slowest batting side in that phase last season.

Team news

RCB could consider bringing in Reece Topleyfor Alzarri Joseph, while Kings are expected to continue with the winning combination.

Impact Player strategy

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

If RCB bat first, Dinesh Karthik starts, with Yash Dayal coming in as Impact Player in the second innings. If they bowl first, Yash Dayal features in the playing XI, with Karthik replacing him during the chase.

Probable XII: 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Faf du Plessis (capt), 3 Rajat Patidar, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Cameron Green, 6 Anuj Rawat (wk), 7 Dinesh Karthik, 8 Reece Topley/Alzarri Joseph, 9 Karn Sharma, 10 Mayank Dagar, 11 Mohammed Siraj, 12 Yash Dayal

Punjab Kings

If they bat first, Prabhsimran Singh slots in the XI. Arshdeep Singh will replace him in the second innings. Vice versa, if they bowl first.

Probable XII: 1 Shikhar Dhawan (capt), 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 Prabhsimran Singh, 4 Sam Curran, 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Liam Livingstone, 7 Shashank Singh, 8 Harpreet Brar, 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Rahul Chahar, 12 Arshdeep Singh

Stats that matter

• Kagiso Rabada has a great record against the RCB batters. Against Faf du Plessis: 16 runs in 13 balls, two dismissals. Against Virat Kohli: 27 runs in 24 balls, three dismissals. Against Glenn Maxwell: 23 runs in 20 balls, two dismissals. Against Karthik: 14 runs in 19 balls, three dismissals.
• Harpreet Brar has been Kings' go-to bowler in the middle overs (7 to 16). Among those who bowled at least ten overs in that phase last season, Brar's economy of 6.18 was the best. He has a favourable match-up against Maxwell, dismissing him three times in 14 balls. But du Plessis has taken him for 79 runs off 46 balls without getting dismissed.
• Jonny Bairstow has a strike rate of over 200 against each of Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma and Maxwell. He has a combined 101 runs in 42 balls against them without getting out even once.
• Kohli has enjoyed batting against Arshdeep and Harshal Patel. Against Arshdeep, he has 44 runs off 23 balls without being dismissed, and against Harshal, 43 in 27 balls for one dismissal. Rahul Chahar, though, has been able to keep him quiet, giving away only 32 runs in 37 balls while getting him out once.
• Karthik has hit Sam Curran for 59 runs in 23 balls without being dismissed.

Thanks for the tag WD 

Punjab FTW 🥳

Pitch and conditions

Since the start of 2018, teams have scored at 9.42 per over at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the highest scoring rate at any venue that has hosted at least five IPL games. Don't expect anything different on Monday

Probable Best Players of the Match

Probable Best Batter:

After a disappointing performance in the IPL 2024 opener, Virat Kohli is keen to demonstrate his skills in the upcoming game. He aims to play a solid innings and lead RCB to their first victory of the season against the in-form Punjab Kings. 

Probable Best Bowler:

Mohammed Siraj, known for his ability to generate swing early on, can provide crucial breakthroughs for RCB. Despite a tough outing in the first game, he would be determined to showcase his skills in the upcoming match, aiming to help RCB secure their first win and climb up the points table.

Thanks for the tag Parm.  

It looks like no one is interested in RCB.

May the best team win.

Cheers..

Punjab Kings to win the match

Scenario 1

Punjab Kings win the toss and bowl

Power Play score – 50-60

First Innings Score - 185-195

Punjab Kings win the match

Scenario 2

Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the toss and bowl

Power Play score - 60-70

First Innings Score - 210-220

Punjab Kings win the match

Thank you, Parm for the thread and for tagging me as well.  

Best wishes to both teams and a bit more wishes for RCB.