It has been a miserable journey for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League 2019 so far. They haven’t won a single game yet and looking down from a cliffhanger. They will next play against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali’s PCA Stadium on Saturday’s doubleheader. Punjab is doing well in the ongoing season but lost the previous game against Mumbai Indians, which went down to wire. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers will be eyeing to register the first win of the season and try to save some pride for the franchise.
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)
Also Read: Who will be the X factor for KXIP in IPL 2019?
KXIP played a thriller in their last game against Mumbai Indians, who won the game on the last ball with just three wickets in hand. KL Rahul and Chris Gayle gave Punjab a blazing start but that was nullified by their slow batting in next five overs. Rahul scored an unbeaten ton but Kieron Pollard’s heroics proved match-changing.
Punjab bowlers leaked too many runs in death overs but this should not give them any concern. Sam Curran and Ankit Rajpoot both went for over 50+ runs in their four overs. But team management can still stick to the same playing XI only if they want just one spinner in their team.
Probable XI: KL Rahul (WK), Chris Gayle, Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, David Miller, Mandeep Singh, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin (C), Hardus Viljoen, Mohammed Shami, Ankit Rajpoot.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Also Read: Who will be the X factor for RCB in IPL 2019?
RCB is not able to crack the winning code this season. Match against Punjab will be their seventh game against seven different oppositions and they are yet to make their debut on the points table. Delhi Capitals hunted them last and added spices on their already widening wounds.
Bengaluru has plenty to ponder about. The right team combination is far from a reality for them. Nathan Coulter-Nile will be drafted in the squad straightaway once available. Time is also running out for Parthiv Patel, who hasn’t played anything important than pride saving innings. Changes are on the card for RCB but what they will be; it’s interesting to wait for.
Probable XI: Virat Kohli (C), Marcus Stoinis, AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Akshdeep Nath (WK), Shivam Dube, Pawan Negi, Tim Southee/Nathan Coulter-Nile, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammad Siraj.
