IPL 2024: PBKS, RCB clash in bid to stay alive
Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to lock horns in Match 58 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala. Both sides are tied at eight points, with one of them having a possibility of reaching 14 points. Notably, the Royal Challengers are coming off three consecutive wins. Here is the match preview.
Pitch report, conditions, and streaming details
The surface at the HPCA Stadium is likely to offer swing to seamers initially. Notably, the last match here between PBKS vs Chennai Super Kings was low-scoring. The hosts failed to chase down 178. Spinners also cashed in throughout the match. The match starts at 7:30pm IST, and one can watch it live on the Star Sports Network and stream on JioCinema for free.
A look at head-to-head record
The sides have squared off in 32 IPL matches so far, with PBKS claiming 17 wins. RCB have won 15 matches in this regard. The last match between the two sides in the ongoing edition saw the Royal Challengers chase down 177 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Notabbly, RCB won their only match against PBKS in IPL 2023.
PBKS Probable XI and impact players
PBKS (Probable XI): Jonny Bairstow, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Sam Curran (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wicket-keeper), Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, and Arshdeep Singh. Impact players: Prabhsimran Singh, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Tanay Thyagarajan, Vidhwath Kaverappa, and Rishi Dhawan.
RCB Probable XI and impact players
RCB (Probable XI): Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (captain), Will Jacks, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Karn Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, and Vijaykumar Vyshak. Impact players: Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Akash Deep, Rajat Patidar, and Suyash Prabhudessai.
A look at playoff scenario
Each of the last four sides, including PBKS (eighth) and RCB (seventh), are tied at eight points. Both PBKS and RCB have played 11 matches so far, claiming four wins. RCB's Net Run Rate of -0.049 is superior than that of PBKS (-0.187). The two sides are still in contention to reach the top four, given other results go their way.
