IPL 2019, Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: Match preview
The second match of Saturday's doubleheader will be played amongst Kings XI Punjab & Royal Challengers Bangalore where the Mohali based franchise will host the Bangalore in a must-win match in IPL 2019.
Howbeit, the Kings from Punjab will be wary of not repeating last year's downslide which they experienced last year. Four wins out of seven augurs well for the Kings at the halfway stage, but, Kohli-led RCB will look to inflict some damage and avoid an unwanted record of losing the 1st match against all 7 teams in a season.
Mohali has produced one of the best wickets in the tournament to bat on and long boundaries have ensured the bowlers have enough ammunition to test the batsmen. Kings have also converted it into a fortress and yet to taste their first defeat at PCA stadium.
Thus, it promises to be a high octane match between the two sides who are yet to win this tournament even once.
Team News
Kings XI Punjab
Kings XI Punjab is sweating over the fitness of its most destructive batsman, Chris Gayle, as the Carrabian suffered from a back spasm in the previous encounter against MI.
Also, Ankit Rajpoot split his webbing in the same match and is expected to be on the sidelines for a longer duration. However, they will be boosted by the return of Mayank Agarwal into the XI after missing the previous encounter.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB's woes seem endless as Mohammad Siraj was struck on collarbone by Marcus Stoinis during a net session and he was taken to the hospital.
Moreover, Dale Steyn, who has replaced Nathan Coulter Nile, will not be available for selection before RCB's match against KKR on April 19.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have fought many close battles and none of them like to give an inch to the other and head to head stats vouch for it.
Even at Mohali, the kings from Punjab have failed to dominate their star-studded rivals and it will promise to be another entertaining encounter between the two sides.
Overall: Matches – 22, Kings XI Punjab – 12, Royal Challengers Bangalore – 10.
At the PCA Stadium: Matches – 6, Kings XI Punjab – 3, Royal Challengers Bangalore – 3.
Probable XI
Punjab has not been shy to try out different combinations irrespective of the result and fitness of the players, howbeit, they will be forced to make a couple of changes in this match. Ankit Rajpoot's injury means Murugan Ashwin might get a place in the XI.
Also, Mayank Agarwal in all likelihood will make a comeback in place of Karun Nair and Moises Henriques can replace Chris Gayle.
On the other hand, RCB will also be forced to make at least one change due to Mohammad Siraj's injury and Umesh Yadav might get his chance in the XI.
Kings XI Punjab
KL Rahul (WK), Mayank Agarwal, David Miller, Moises Henriques, Mandeep Singh, Sam Curran, Sarfaraz Khan, R Ashwin (C), Hardus Viljoen/ Andrew Tye, Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Parthiv Patel (wk), Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers, Marcus Stoinis, Moeen Ali, Akshdeep Nath, Pawan Negi, Tim Southee, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav
Match Info
Date: 13 April 2019
Time: 02:30 PM GMT, 08:00 PM IST
Venue: PCA Stadium, Mohali
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