IPL 2018, RCB vs KXIP Match Prediction: Who will win today's match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab
Royal Challengers Bangalore welcome Kings XI Punjab to the Chinnaswamy for the eighth match of 2018 IPL. While the home side fell to a four-wicket defeat in their first match against Kolkata Knight Riders, KXIP dismissed Delhi Daredevils in their tournament opener.
Virat Kohli's men would like to open their account with a home win, while Punjab on the other hand, under the leadership of Ravichandran Ashwin, would want to build on to their victory over Delhi.
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KXIP will also be buoyed by the return of Australia's Aaron Finch, who'll slot into the line-up seamlessly. Possibly David Miller will have to make way for Finch, who has been featuring in the middle order for the Australian T20 team recently and is expected to play a similar role for the Punjab-based franchise as well.
As far as RCB are concerned, they are expected to go in with the same batting-heavy side that took on KKR. If the combination doesn't work out today as well, they will be forced to change their eleven for the next encounter.
Date: April 13
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Time: 20:00 IST
If Royal Challengers Bangalore bat first
Predicted score: 180+
There is no denying the fact that RCB have the most explosive top order of all the franchises in the tournament this year. De Kock, McCullum, Kohli and De Villiers, the top four of Bangalore-based franchise can tear apart any given bowling line-up.
Naturally, these four would have to do a bulk of the scoring, possibly adding more than 80% of the team's total. If the top four provide RCB with a good start, then the lower middle order of Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh, Chris Woakes and Washington Sundar is capable enough to take the team's total past the 180 mark.
If Kings XI Punjab bat first
Predicted score: 170+
KL Rahul will return to his home ground and would want to continue from where he left against DD. Mayank Agarwal, who was the best batsman in the Indian domestic season, plays for Karnataka as well and is familiar with the conditions at Chinnaswamy.
If the Karnataka duo gets going, it would be easier for batsmen like Yuvraj Singh and Karun Nair to express themselves later. Aaron Finch, who missed the first match, will be a great addition to the KXIP middle order if he gets the chance to feature today.
The Australian can add to the scoring rate from the very first ball and a lot would depend on him if Punjab are to post a decent total. If Finch doesn't get a chance to make his debut for KXIP, then Miller will have to up the ante.
A score of around 175-180 might be enough for the visitors if they manage to stop the RCB top four.
Match Prediction:
Kohli would be raring to go after a loss in the tournament opener and if he gets going, things will turn out in his team's favour. That being said, KXIP are no pushovers either and we have an exciting encounter on cards. Toss will play a huge role and the team batting second might just turn out to be the winners.