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Match Details
Date: 13 May 2022
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
Ball-by-ball commentary: SportsTiger App
Preview
With a playoff berth at stake, both Bangalore and Punjab will be desperate for a win. The last time the two teams met, Punjab chased down a target of over 200 quite easily. However, since that game, chasing has not been easy for PBKS. Also, they are coming on the back of a loss to Rajasthan Royals. On the other hand, RCB have won their last two games, and that too defending a total. So, it will be interesting to see if Mayank Agarwal’s Punjab Kings keep their playoff hopes alive or if Faf du Plessis’ RCB cement their place in the top three.
Pitch Report
The Brabourne Stadium pitch has been the easiest to bat on this season. Runs have flowed as the average first innings score remains around 177. For bowlers, spinners have enjoyed bowling on this surface while pacers have leaked runs. So, RCB vs PBKS is going to be a run-fest for one more time where the team chasing will have an edge.
Team Analysis
Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB have performed decently in this edition of IPL. They have won 7 out of 12 games played. They have lost some close games. But, in the games they have lost by big margins, batting has been the issue. There was a collapse against Sunrisers Hyderabad (bowled out for 68). Then in a game against Rajasthan, they failed to chase 144. One of the biggest reasons for such collapses has been no contribution from the top order, especially Virat Kohli. The star batter has not clicked this season and struggling big time. He also has three golden ducks this season. Now, with the knockout stage nearby, the management will hope for Kohli to get a big score. If he starts scoring, RCB will become a force to reckon. The game against Punjab will be a chance for Kohli to go big.
SportsTiger Playing XI of RCB
Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Sirah, Josh Hazlewood
Punjab Kings
The Mayank Agarwal-led side has faced many issues this season. In some games, batters have not come together while in some games, bowlers have failed to do the job. In their last game against RR, Punjab could not defend 189. Now, with five wins from eleven games, PBKS hang by a thread. The biggest worry for Punjab is Rahul Chahar’s form. The leg-spinner has not performed at all. Kagiso Rabada is getting his mojo back but the management will want him to chip in more often. In batting, PBKS have things sorted with each batter playing their respective roles.
SportsTiger Playing XI of PBKS
Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Mayank Agarwal (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma
Match Prediction
Conclusion
RCB have the momentum with them which gives them an edge going into Friday’s clash.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the author’s point of view. They neither reflect the opinion of SportsTiger nor advise anyone to make any prediction based on this. SportsTiger does not assume any responsibility and liability for the same.