Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
RCB vs PBKS would be crucial match for both the sides in Sharjah. A win for RCB would ensure that they qualify for the playoffs officially along with CSK and DC. Meanwhile, Punjab also would almost be out of the race for playoffs if they lose today. But a win for PBKS will help them stay alive in the race along with other teams like KKR, RR & MI.
Last time when these two teams faced each other PBKS ended up winning the match convincingly with the help of terrific knock of 91*(57) from KL Rahul in Ahmedabad. It will be interesting to see who wins this crucial game. If Punjab win, it can make the points table even more thrilling at the business end of the tournament.
Let us have a look at numbers and stats from RCB vs PBKS match before start of the game:
Most runs for RCB vs PBKS in IPL - Virat Kohli (716 runs)
Most wickets for RCB vs PBKS in IPL - Yuzvendra Chahal (22 wickets)
Most runs for PBKS vs RCB in IPL - KL Rahul (412 runs)
Most wickets for PBKS [Among current Players] vs RCB in IPL - Mohammed Shami / Murugan Ashwin (6 wickets)
2 - Harshal Patel needs 2 more wickets to become the highest wicket-taker for an Indian bowler in single IPL season.
Most wickets by an Indian player in an IPL season:
Jasprit Bumrah - 27 in 2020
Harshal Patel - 26 in 2021
Bhuvneshwar Kumar - 26 in 2017
3 - Punjab Kings have won all the 3 matches that they played against RCB in UAE. RCB has never won an IPL match against PBKS in UAE.
4 - Mohammed Siraj needs 4 more wickets to pick 50 wickets in IPL. Also, Siraj needs 3 more wickets to complete 00 wickets in T20 cricket.
67 - KL Rahul needs 67 more runs to become the leading run-scorer for PBKS franchise in the T20 cricket history.
11 - Mohammed Shami has taken most IPL wickets (11) at Sharjah venue.
92.40 - KL Rahul averages 92.40 with the bat against RCB in IPL overall. He has always performed well against RCB with the bat and he could be a dangerous player today as well.
KL Rahul's scores vs RCB in IPL since 2020:
91*(57) in Ahmedabad, 2021
61*(49) in Sharjah, 2020
132*(69) in Dubai, 2020
The last time KL Rahul was dismissed by any RCB bowler was way back in 2019. Considering KL Rahul's imperious record against Bangalore, PBKS have a clear edge against RCB in UAE.