Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings, IPL 2022, Today Match Prediction

rcb vs pbks Match Prediction & Analysis

The Punjab Kings have their task cut out as they take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 60th game of the Indian Premier League 2022. The Kings come here with a loss against the Rajasthan Royals where the bowling attack let them down. The Royal Challengers are looking in good form after their comprehensive win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last game. 

The Punjab Kings have the last chance to keep their hopes alive for a berth in the next round. The side would be under immense pressure playing this game after their heartbreaking loss in the last game. The Royal Challengers have shaped up well in the last two games and have nearly booked a berth in the next round. Both sides have strong batting line-ups and this game is expected to go down the wire. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview

Faf du Plessis’ side has come up with strong performances in the last two games and moved to the 4th spot on the points table. It was a clinical performance from the team against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last game where they won by 67 runs. Their batsmen and bowlers are looking in good form. They had lost to the Punjab Kings earlier and du Plessis would aim to even it out with a good show here and secure a spot in the playoffs.  

Virat Kohli scored his third golden duck in the last game and the side would have bigger expectations from him as he opens the batting with du Plessis. Rajat Patidar looks in good form and the side would like to see him build partnerships with Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik in the middle order. Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Mahipal Lomror bring firepower to this line-up down the order. 

The Australia duo of Maxwell and Josh Hazlewood did well in the last game opening the bowling and early strikes would be needed from them. Mohammad Siraj and Hasaranga have been the most consistent bowlers for the side and they would fancy their chances here. In Harshal Patel, Lamror, and Ahmed the side has good variety in its bowling attack and this will add to their confidence. 

Top Batsman – Faf du Plessis    
Top Bowler – Wanindu Hasaranga

Royal Challengers Bangalore Predicted Playing XI:

Faf du Plessis (c), Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj

Royal Challengers Bangalore Actual Playing XI:

Mohammed Siraj, Rajat Patidar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, Faf du Plessis, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Harshal Patel, Wanidu Hasaranga, Josh Hazlewood

Punjab Kings Preview

Mayank Agarwal would be upset with the poor performance of his bowlers in the last game against the Rajasthan Royals where they failed to defend a total of 189 runs losing the game by 6 wickets. With this loss, the side has dropped to the 8th position on the points table. They must win this game to keep their hopes alive for a berth in the next round. They had defeated RCB earlier in the season and the Punjab Kings skipper would like his side to take inspiration from those wins. 

Shikhar Dhawan has looked in excellent form and he will need to set up a strong opening wicket stand with Jonny Bairstow. Agarwal must steer the middle order with Jitesh Sharma and Bhanuka Rajapaksa and push the score up in the middle overs. Liam Livingstone is a big hitter of the ball, and the side would expect quick runs from him and Rishi Dhawan down the order. 

Their bowling attack would face the heat heading into this game and good spells would be needed from Sandeep Sharma and Kagiso Rabada with the new ball. Arshdeep Singh has been a consistent performer for the team and he will have an important role in this game. It is high time Rahul Chahar delivers in the middle overs. Rishi Dhawan and Livingstone have to support the main bowlers in this game. 

Top Batsman – Shikhar Dhawan    
Top Bowler – Kagiso Rabada 

Punjab Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Mayank Agarwal (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Sandeep Sharma, Arshdeep Singh

Punjab Kings Actual Playing XI:

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Arshdeep Singh, Rishi Dhawan, Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Harpreet Brar, Jitesh Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Liam Livingstone, Mayank Agarwal

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be odd clouds over the skies of Mumbai on May 13. The wicket has been hard on the bowlers and the flat surface along with the fast outfield has allowed batsmen to score runs easily. The side batting first in this game would look for a score near the 190-run mark to feel safe.

Venue Details

Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai is a good surface to bat on where the ball comes onto the bat nicely. We have seen big scores at this venue in the past. Fast bowlers don’t find assistance from the surface and have to rely on their variations. Spinners have had a good record as the ball tends to grip the surface and stop on the batsmen.

Toss: To Bowl

Bowl first and chase the score have been the mantra for most sides this season. The wickets have been good and sides have fancied their chances while chasing scores. Hence, we see the side winning the toss here to opt for bowling first and aim at restricting the opponents to a small total.

RCB vs PBKS
Winning Prediction

Punjab Kings don’t have the liberty of losing the game. They have their backs to the wall and the side will have to win this one to reach the playoffs. There would be pressure on their bowlers and it will be interesting to see how they perform. Royal Challengers Bangalore can play with more freedom. They have won the last two games and have momentum on their side. This would make them favorites to win here.

Royal Challengers Bangalore to win

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