Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab, Indian Premier League (IPL), Today Match Prediction 24 Apr 2019

rcb vs kxip Match Prediction & Analysis

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab are ready to clash in the 42nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Bengaluru on Wednesday. 

Both teams will be desperate to register a win in order to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bangalore managed to beat Chennai Super Kings by one-run, courtesy splendid performances from Parthiv Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal and Dale Steyn.  Captain Virat Kohli will be hoping that the side can maintain consistency with bat and ball in the remaining games of the competition.

In their last fixture, Kings XI Punjab suffered a demoralizing defeat against Delhi Capitals at Feroz Shah Kotla. Ravichandran Ashwin and co. will be looking to make a strong comeback against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

In their previous meeting between the two teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Kings XI Punjab by eight wickets at IS Bindra Cricket Stadium in Mohali.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview

Virat Kohli-led unit will be high on confidence after registering a narrow win against Chennai Super Kings in their last match on Sunday, courtesy Dale Steyn’s brilliant spell and Parthiv Patel’s splendid half-century. The side will need to win all of their remaining games in order to have a chance of qualifying for the playoff of the competition.

The team will be depending on the likes of Captain Virat Kohli (387 runs at an average of 38.70) and wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel (283 runs at an average of 28.30) to produce the goods at the top of the innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel scored a superb half-century to help Royal Challengers Bangalore post a competitive score on the board. He scored 53 off 37 balls with the help of two fours and four sixes. The middle order comprising of AB De Villiers, Akshdeep Nath, Marcus Stoinis and Moeen Ali contributed with crucial scores in the previous game played against Chennai Super Kings.

All-rounder Moeen Ali has been franchise’s designated finisher and will be expected to produce quick runs in the later stages of the innings. Moeen Ali has so far scored 216 runs in 9 innings at an average of 30.85 with two half-centuries to his name.

In the bowling department, the onus will be on the new-ball pair of Dale Steyn and Navdeep Saini to make early inroads in the initial Powerplay overs. Experienced pace bowler Dale Steyn has certainly bolstered the pace attack and was the standout performer in the previous game played against Chennai Super Kings.

Navdeep Saini and Yuzvendra Chahal produced tidy spells for RCB in the previous game played against Chennai

Royal Challengers Bangalore Predicted Playing XI:

Virat Kohli (captain), AB De Villiers, Parthiv Patel (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Akshdeep Nath, Moeen Ali, Pawan Negi, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini, Dale Steyn.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Actual Playing XI:

Marcus Stoinis, Virat Kohli, Umesh Yadav, YS Chahal, AB de Villiers, Akshdeep Nath, Washington Sundar, Moeen Ali, Parthiv Patel, NA Saini, TG Southee

Kings XI Punjab Preview

For Kings XI Punjab, the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore is an opportunity to get back to winning ways in the competition. The side will be keen to bring their A-game to the table after a lackluster performance against Delhi Capitals in the previous game. 

In the batting department, the side looks heavily reliant on the likes of Lokesh Rahul and Chris Gayle to do the bulk of the scoring. The opening pair has certainly produced consistent runs with the bat in this year’s competition.

Chris Gayle is franchise’s leading run-getter at the moment with 421 runs at an average of 52.62 with four half-centuries to his name. The veteran opener was the standout performer for the side in the previous game and scored 69 off 37 balls with the help of six fours and five sixes. It was due to Gayle’s splendid performance that saw Kings XI post a competitive score on the board.

Lokesh Rahul perished for a low score in the previous game played against Delhi Capitals. The franchise will be hoping that he can deliver something special with the bat in this game.

The middle-order comprising of David Miller, Mayank Agarwal and Mandeep Singh will need to deliver runs with the bat. The likes of Miller and Agarwal need to be consistent if Kings XI Punjab aims to turn their fortunes around against Bangalore. However, the real cause of concern for Kings XI Punjab is their bowling department that is struggling to contain runs or to pick wickets at crucial junctures. 

The inclusion of mystery spinner Harpreet Brar provided no results as he conceded 24 runs from his two-over spell against Delhi Capitals. Mohammad Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin and Murugan Ashwin bowled well in the previous game played against Delhi.

Kings XI Punjab Predicted Playing XI:

Ravichandran Ashwin (captain), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mandeep Singh, David Miller, Mayank Agarwal/Karun Nair, Lokesh Rahul (wk), Chris Gayle, Hardus Viljeon, Sam Curran, Mohammad Shami, Murugan Ashwin.

Kings XI Punjab Actual Playing XI:

AS Rajpoot, Hardus Viljoen, Chris Gayle, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Lokesh Rahul, Nicholas Pooran, M Singh, David Miller, Murugan Ashwin, Mayank Agarwal

Weather Conditions

The pitch has certainly provided an interesting between bat and ball in this year’s competition. The quick bowlers can expect pace and bounce for this game. The weather forecast for the game on Wednesday is going to be clear skies.

Venue

Royal Challengers Bangalore finally managed to win their first game of the season at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. The side will be looking to make amends for their poor record at home and will be keen to continue their good form against Kings XI Punjab.

Toss: To Bat

The side that wins the toss would be like bat first and get runs on the board. The new-ball will certainly will crucial for both teams, it does tend to offer lateral movement for the quick bowlers. Expect Spinners to play a role in this game.