Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings, IPL 2021, Today Match Prediction 03 October 2021

rcb vs pbks Match Prediction & Analysis

We are into the business end of the Indian Premier League 2021 and this contest between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings would be an important one for both sides. RCB come here with a win against Rajasthan Royals and a win here would take them into the next round. The Kings defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders in their last game to keep hopes alive for a berth in the playoffs. 

Punjab Kings have enjoyed a good record against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and have won the last three games between the two sides. However, they would be under pressure due to the loss of Chris Gayle. Their bowlers have been inconsistent and it would be interesting to see how they fare against Royal Challengers Bangalore’s in-form batting line-up.  

TEAMS PREVIEW

Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview

Two consecutive wins have got the campaign for Virat Kohli’s side back on track. The side defeated the Rajasthan Royals in the last game by 7 wickets. They are one win away from booking a berth in the playoffs and Kohli would be aiming for this with a win in this game. They have lost the last three games they have played against the Punjab Kings and would be looking to set the record straight here.

Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal are a formidable pair at the top and they would look to score against Punjab’s struggling new ball attack. Glenn Maxwell is in tremendous form, and he would aim to set up partnerships with Srikar Bharat and AB de Villiers as ADB hasn’t been at his best. The side would also expect a good show towards the end from Daniel Christian and George Garton. 

Mohammad Siraj has bowled well but he has found little support so far at the other end. The side would need Garton to bowl tighter lines with the new ball in this game. Yuzvendra Chahal has bowled tight spells in the last few games and has a very important role to play here. Maxwell and Harshal Patel would need to check the flow of runs as Punjab has good hitters of the ball in the squad.  

Top Batsman – Virat Kohli    
Top Bowler – Yuzvendra Chahal

Royal Challengers Bangalore Predicted Playing XI:

Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat (wk), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Daniel Christian, George Garton, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Royal Challengers Bangalore Actual Playing XI:

Mohammed Siraj, KS Bharat, Shahbaz Ahmed, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikal, George Garton, YS Chahal, AB de Villiers, Harshal Patel, Glenn Maxwell, DT Christian

Punjab Kings Preview

KL Rahul’s side has kept its hopes for the next round alive. The side defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders by 5 wickets in a must-win game to move up to the 5th spot on the points table. The side needs to win this game to progress further in the tournament and Rahul would like his players to draw inspiration from their good record against RCB in recent years. 

Rahul and Mayank Agarwal did bat extremely well in the last game and these two would have to deliver in this game. Chris Gayle pulling out of the tournament has been a big setback and the side would need Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and Deepak Hooda to bat well in the middle. Shahrukh Khan played well in the last game and needs to score quick runs with Fabian Allen and Nathan Ellis down the order. 

Mohammad Shami has looked in great form and needs to deliver the goods with the new ball. He would expect good support from Fabian Allen and Arshdeep Singh who have been inconsistent. Ravi Bishnoi has done well in the last few games and he would be tasked with keeping the RCB batsmen quiet along with Ellis.  

Top Batsman – KL Rahul    
Top Bowler – Mohammad Shami 

Punjab Kings Predicted Playing XI:

KL Rahul (c & wk), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Deepak Hooda, Fabian Allen, Nathan Ellis, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh

Punjab Kings Actual Playing XI:

Sarfaraz Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Shahrukh Khan, Lokesh Rahul, Nicholas Pooran, Moises Henriques, Harpreet Brar, Aiden Markram, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Agarwal

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It will be a hot and humid afternoon at Sharjah on October 03, and we expect to see a batting-friendly wicket though the dual paced nature of the surface would require the batsmen to be watchful. It will be tough for the fast bowlers on this surface. The side that bats first here need to put 180 runs on the board to feel safe. 

Venue Details

Sharjah Cricket Stadium is a high scoring with the small size of the ground and fast outfield coming to the advantage of the batsmen. There is absolutely nothing on this surface for the fast bowlers. Spinners have done well in the past and the slow nature of the surface this season is aiding them.

Toss: To Bowl

We have seen a slow surface in this ground this year and sides have got out for small totals. In the four games played so far, the side chasing the score has gone on to win three games. The sides would keep in mind this at the toss and one winning the toss is likely to opt for bowling first.