In this article, we preview Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, match 26 of the IPL 2021 to be played in Ahmedabad on 30 April. With three wins in as many matches played, RCB are 2nd-placed on the points table, while PBKS who have won just one out of 4 games played are at the bottom of the table.
Contents
Match Predictions and Team Previews
Last Match Between the Teams
PBKS and RCB last met in Sharjah on 15 October 2020. Batting first, RCB made a competitive score of 171/6. Despite a regular fall of wickets, RCB managed to string together several mini-partnerships to reach 136 for 6 when Virat Kohli (48 off 39) got out in the 18th over. Chris Morris (25 off 8) and Isuru Udana added 35 in the last two overs to give RCB a glimmer. M Ashwin (2/23) was PBKS’s most impressive bowler, while Shami (2/45), Arshdeep Singh (1/20) and Chris Jordan (1/20) took the other wickets to fall. When PBKS replied, they were off to a flier on the back of a 78-run opening stand before Agarwal (45 off 25 balls) got out. Chris Gayle joined his skipper KL Rahul at the wicket and the two carried on the good work with a 2nd-wicket stand that left them needing one run off the last ball. Pooran hit that ball for a six to help his side to an 8-wicket victory in which the 93-run stand between Rahul (61 off 49 balls) and Gayle (53 off 45) played a major role.
Head-to-Head
Punjab Kings have established an h2h advantage of 14-12 in 26 matches between the sides.
Analysis
PBKS have an explosive top order. KL Rahul has been in good form more often than not. Ironically, that has also proved to be the bane of the team as the middle order has not had enough exposure. As a result, when Rahul fails, the batting collapses. Among the overseas players, only Gayle has performed with any consistency, while Pooran is yet to fire with the bat. PBKS lack a tearaway fast bowler. Allen and Henriques are medium fast at best. RCB appear to have fixed their batting order problems by inducting Maxwell at number four. That leaves De Villiers to do his thing in the death overs. With three of four RCB overseas players in the batting, Jamieson is the lone bowler. But thanks to the likes of Chahal, Harshal Patel and Shahbaz Ahmed who have performed to their potential so far, the RCB bowling is not overly dependent on Jamieson.
Likely XIs
PBKS: Rahul, Agarwal, Gayle, Pooran, Hooda, Henriques, Shahrukh Khan, Allen, M Ashwin, M Shami, Arshdeep Singh.
RCB: Kohli, Padikkal, Patidar, Maxwell, De Villiers, Jamieson, Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, M Siraj, Y Chahal.
Match Prediction
In our PBKS vs RCB match prediction, we believe that RCB will prevail over PBKS in the IPL match in Ahmedabad on 30 April.
PBKS vs RCB Betting
Bookmakers’ odds favour RCB to beat Punjab Kings in match 26 of the IPL 2021 on 30 April.
Summaryp>Though it’s a bit early to judge, RCB have been the best team on display in the IPL 2021. PBKS, who have begun with much promise, appear to be losing their way. Perhaps they need to experiment with the batting, with Rahul going down the order, while allowing the likes of Pooran and Hooda to get more batting practice. As things stand, rival teams appear to have sorted PBKS out and RCB could be next in line.