Royal Challengers Bangalore can go on top of the table in IPL 2021 as they prepare to face off against a Punjab Kings side that is struggling for consistency.
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Royal Challengers Bangalore have made a big statement in IPL 2021 with five wins in six games. Three of those wins have been narrow wins. Their first encounter against Mumbai Indians saw them win by two wickets. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, they won by six runs while they narrowly escaped an onslaught by Delhi Capitals to sneak home by one run. Royal Challengers Bangalore have had players contributing at crucial times. The batting is clicking. The bowling has been admirable while the fielding has also been spot on.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings have struggled with their batting. In three out of their six games, they have scored a total in the range of 105 to 125 three times. In the other three games in which they scored over 180-200, they have won two of them. The brief is clear. If Punjab Kings score big, they win. The batting has been a major area of concern, with KL Rahul struggling for aggression. The likes of Deepak Hooda, Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle have struggled while Shahrukh Khan has not had much chances.
There seems to be no such problems with Royal Challengers Bangalore. They have buffer and insurance in case one player fails. If Virat Kohli fails, Devdutt Padikkal shines. If AB de Villiers fails, then Glenn Maxwell ticks or vice versa. Only when all of them fail does RCB struggle, as they did against Chennai Super Kings. The bowling is in good shape with Harshal Patel, Washington Sundar and Mohammed Siraj all chipping in along with Yuzvendra Chahal and Kyle Jamieson.
Royal Challengers Bangalore seem to be making too many changes in the No.3 position which might hurt them in the near future. Rajat Patidar was impressive in the game against Delhi Capitals and he might get a go-ahead. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have struggled with their batting. It would make more sense for them to include Dawid Malan and replace the out-of-form Nicholas Pooran.
Punjab Kings: KL Rahul(w/c), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran/Dawid Malan, Moises Henriques, Shahrukh Khan, Chris Jordan, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh
Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Virat Kohli(c), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers(w), Washington Sundar, Daniel Sams, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj
Match No.26: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Narendra Modi stadium, Ahmedabad
The pitch in Ahmedabad is good for batting in the second innings as there will be dew on offer. The weather is expected to be fine but there can be a sudden dust storm. With cloudy conditions, humidity will be 24 percent.
KL Rahul’s average of 3.75 and 19 off 20 balls at the Narendra Modi stadium does not make for good reading. In IPL 2020, Punjab Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore in both games, extending their head-to-head advantage to 14-12 in 26 games.
