The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season sees match number 48 being played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
RCB are placed third in the standings with 14 points from 12 matches. A win for RB will see them make it to the playoffs of the IPL 2021 season. Meanwhile, PBKS are in a must-win scenario to keep their chances alive.
After losing three successive games in the UAE, RCB stitched two successive wins and are full of confidence at the moment. The likes of Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Glenn Maxwell, and KS Bharat are scoring runs and that’s a positive sign. With the ball, Harshal Patel is on fire with 26 scalps and holds importance. Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is also showing mettle in every game.
PBKS tamed KKR on Friday to keep their hopes alive. The strength for PBKS with the bat lies with the openers, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. The two helped PBKS beat KKR and hold utmost significance. Aiden Markram and Shahrukh Khan can be helpful. PBKS have a strong bowling outfit and they are doing well as a unit.
This will be the first game of the day as we have a double-header on offer.
Here we present all the concerned details to guide you through.
Key details of the match
The match is set to be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. It’s scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST. Fans can watch the action live on the Star Sports Network in their preferred languages. One can also stream the match live on the Disney+ Hotstar app (paid subscription).
Here’s the preview
If RCB match the performance they put up against MI and RR it will be difficult for PBKS to stop them. A lot depends on Kohli and Dedvdutt Padikkal at the top as Maxwell holds the key in the middle. With ABD in poor form, Maxi needs to fire and be the aggressive option. RCB are expected to go in with the same XI that faced RR so we will see Kyle Jamieson and Dan Christian in the side. Yuzvendra Chahal and Harshal are the top performers with the ball.
PBKS have a good bowling unit that has the desired firepower and steel. Ravi Bishnoi is a class act in terms of spin. Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh hold the impetus in the pace department. PBKS can be handy against RCB batsmen with the ball, however, it’s the batting that can be inconsistent. Nicholas Pooran is badly out of form. There is a lot of pressure on Aiden Markram and the openers to perform. The top-order needs to fire for PBKS.
Probable playing XIs: RCB vs PBKS
RCB probable playing XI:
Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat (wk), AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Dan Christian, Kyle Jamieson, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
PBKS probable playing XI:
KL Rahul (c & wk), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Deepak Hooda, Ravi Bishnoi, Fabian Allen, Nathan Ellis. Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh
Dream11 team prediction (option 1)
Batsmen: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Aiden Markram, Devdutt Padikkal, Shahrukh Khan
All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi
Dream11 team prediction (option 2)
Batsmen: KL Rahul, KS Bharat, Shahrukh Khan, Aiden Markram, Virat Kohli
All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj
Which players can be the top picks in the Dream11 team?
In batting, the likes of Rahul and Kohli fit both teams. Both skippers are of the utmost value for their respective teams and have given the side consistent starts. They are the prime hopes and crucial in the opening roles. What sets them apart is the vision to be aggressive and calculating.
Maxwell is the all-rounder that can be picked. He brings plenty to the table and offers match-winning attributes.
In the bowling department, Harshal is the main customer. He is bowling well and holds the card for RCB. Arshdeep is the ideal bet and is a dangerous entity as well for PBKS.
Dream11 fantasy: Captain choices
Virat Kohli: Being in good form of late, Virat Kohli holds the key for RCB. He can set the stage on fire in the PP overs and be crucial in the middle overs as well. An excellent fielder, Kohli can be of huge substance.
KL Rahul: The PBKS opener is the leading run-scorer in IPL 2021. He has smashed 489 runs at 54.33. Rahul has five fifties under his belt. In a big game for PBKS, expect the in-form Rahul to come out all guns blazing.
Dream11 fantasy: Vice-captain choices
In terms of vice-captaincy, Harshal is a sound option. He can get RCB to perform with his excellent bowling form and brilliance at the death. He is a genuine contender for the deputy role. Apart from Harshal, PBKS’ Arshdeep can be picked as well. He brings so much character and value.
Pitch report and conditions
The pitch in Sharjah is expected to favour bowlers given the slowness of the wicket. Batsmen will need to be patient and rotate the strike well. Pacers will have their moments and spinners will have a role as the match progresses. The weather is expected to be hot and humid which can test the players immensely.
What happened in the previous meeting between the two?
In the previous meeting this season, PBKS won the match by 34 runs.
Head-to-head record
The two teams have faced each other on 27 occasions. The tally sees PBKS winning 15 and RCB 12.
Match prediction
We feel RCB will come out on top here. They are the in-form side and have the credentials to down PBKS who will put up a stern fight.