IPL’s match number 42 will see Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Kings XI Punjab at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Royal Challengers Bangalore won their last game against Chennai Super Kings by 1 run. If not for MS Dhoni they would have won that game much more easily and by a larger a run difference.
Kings XI Punjab lost their last game against Delhi Capitals by 5 wickets at Feroz Shah Kotla. Half-centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer helped Delhi chase down Punjab’s score.
Form
Royal Challengers Bangalore – LWLWW
Royal Challengers Bangalore has won three of their last five games. They have finally started to play well as a team. But this change in form has probably come too late for Bangalore. They sit at the bottom of the points table in Ipl. Highly unlikely to qualify for the next stage of the tournament.
Kings XI Punjab – WLWLL
Punjab has won only twice in their last five games. They sit fifth in the points table and are still in the mix to finish in top-four. In recent games, their bowling has been a cause of issue for them. Their lower-middle order has also failed to contribute lately.
Stadium
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Probable Lineups
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Parthiv Patel (wk), Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers, Akshdeep Nath, Moeen Ali, Marcus Stoinis, Pawan Negi, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Dale Steyn, Yuzvendra Chahal
Kings XI Punjab
Chris Gayle, Lokesh Rahul (wk), Mayank Agarwal, Mandeep Singh, David Miller, Hardus Viljoen, Sam Curran, Arshdeep Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin.
Key Player
Virat Kohli (RCB)
Virat is an important player for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He will be a key against Punjab as it is likely to be a high-scoring game. He must provide a strong start for his batting lineup.
Chris Gayle (KXIP)
Gayle is well aware of the conditions in Bangalore. Having played there for many seasons, he will relish his return. Expect him to create some havoc in M Chinnaswamy.
Best Fantasy Team
Keeper – KL Rahul
Batsmen – Gayle, Kohli, De Villiers, Mayank Agarwal, Mandeep Singh
All Rounder – Ali, Stoinis
Bowler – Steyn, Saini, Arshdeep