IPL 2024: PBKS vs RCB – A Do-or-Die Clash for Playoffs!
Match Preview: Today’s IPL encounter between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala is a high-pressure clash. Both teams are locked on 8 points from 11 games, making this a virtual eliminator for their playoff hopes.
Head-to-Head: The rivalry is evenly balanced. PBKS holds a slight edge with 17 wins in 32 meetings, but RCB won the earlier encounter this season.
Probable Playing XIs:
- PBKS: Jonny Bairstow, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Sam Curran (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh. [Impact sub: Prabhsimran Singh]
- RCB: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Will Jacks, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik, Karn Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Yash Dayal, Vijaykumar Vysakh, Mohammed Siraj [Impact sub: Rajat Patidar]
Pitch and Weather: Dharamsala usually offers a batting-friendly wicket with a tinge of pace early on. The weather forecast predicts a sunny day with pleasant temperatures, ideal for a high-scoring T20 match.
Dream 11 Fantasy Team: (Subject to change based on final line-ups)
- Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan (PBKS), Virat Kohli (RCB), Faf du Plessis (RCB)
- All-rounders: Liam Livingstone (PBKS), Glenn Maxwell (RCB), Sikandar Raza (PBKS)
- Wicket-keeper: Dinesh Karthik (RCB)
- Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh (PBKS), Harshal Patel (RCB), Kagiso Rabada (PBKS), Mohammed Siraj (RCB)
Powerplay Prediction: Both teams have explosive openers, so expect a run-fest in the powerplay.
RCB: 60-70
PBKS: 55-60
Win Prediction: This is a close call. RCB’s form is slightly better, but PBKS’ home advantage cannot be ignored.
Total Score Prediction: Expect a high-scoring encounter with a total exceeding 180 runs.