Toss
RCB Skipper Rajat Patidar has won the toss and electd to bowl first against Punjab Kings. Romario Shepherd comes in for Liam Livingstone in RCB’s playing XI
PBKS vs RCB playing XI
PBKS Playing XI
Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis,Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
RCB vs Playing XI
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (wk), Romario Shephard, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma
Preview
For the second time in just three days, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to clash this time in New Chandigarh with the Kings looking to do a season double over their Southern rivals. The previous encounter, a rain-hit 14-over match in Bengaluru, saw Punjab come out on top by adapting smartly to the damp and sticky conditions.
Punjab Kings are having a solid season so far, with five wins from seven games. Their aggressive approach at the top, deep batting order, and a well-balanced bowling attack have made them one of the most well-rounded teams this year. A major boost for them has been the return to form of Yuzvendra Chahal. After a quiet start, the veteran leg-spinner has found his rhythm, notably leading the defence of a modest 111-run total against Kolkata Knight Riders at this very venue.
On the other hand, RCB will be banking on their in-form top order. Phil Salt’s explosive starts have been crucial, while Virat Kohli, Captain Rajat Patidar, and Tim David have chipped in with consistent contributions. However, the challenge lies in adjusting to slower tracks, as their line-up features more power-hitters than grafters.
Bowling remains a concern for RCB, especially in the spin department. Still, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma have shown promise. In contrast, their pace attack led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been one of the best new-ball pairs this season.
As both sides look to tighten their grip in the playoff race, this match could once again come down to who adapts better to the conditions.
