IPL 2019: Match 28, KXIP v RCB, Preview: Punjab look to hold onto the castle against Virat Kohli's men

While RCB is yet to find the best combination, KXIP has got a few injury scares.

Published - 12 Apr 2019, 20:41 IST | Updated - 12 Apr 2019, 20:41 IST

3 Min Read

Six consecutive losses at the start of an IPL season and RCB will bag further embarrassment if they lose another. No team has lost more than six games in a row and they surely wouldn’t want to bag this humiliation. A lot hasn’t been just going right for them in this season. They will take on the Kings XI Punjab in Mohali, which has been quite a citadel for the home team.

The Kings XI Punjab are coming into this game after a massive jolt against the Mumbai Indians. Despite scoring nearly 200 runs in that game, they just about fell short of defending it. However, the biggest positive for them is that they have won all the three games that they played in Mohali this year.

For RCB, though, a lot will depend upon the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. But the most important thing for them is their bowlers getting their act together. In IPL 2018, RCB defeated KXIP in both the match – one by 4 wickets and the other by 8 wickets. In this North-South derby, the visitors will surely look to keep this record intact.

Team Combinations

Kings XI Punjab

The KXIP team knows the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in and out. Despite the dew factor, there has been a fair deal of assistance for the spinners here at this venue. Thus, Punjab could rope both Murugan Ashwin and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the places of Hardus Viljoen and Ankit Rajpoot. The Kanpur pacer has injured his finger in the last game while Chris Gayle has got a twisted back. Thus, Sam Curran might open the innings while Moises Henriques will bat in the middle order. If fit, Mayank Agarwal will replace Karun Nair.

Probable XI: KL Rahul (WK), Sam Curran, Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, David Miller, Mandeep Singh, Moises Henriques, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

For RCB, they have got a few things to look at. The team hasn’t been able to find the right balance as yet. If they look to strengthen the bowling, the batsmen have given up and the vice-versa. To add a slightly better balance to the side, Colin de Grandhomme might come back in place of an underperforming Tim Southee. This will pave the way for Umesh Yadav to make it back into the side. Dale Steyn will join the side on the 19th and isn’t available for selection as yet.

Probable XI: Parthiv Patel (WK), Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers, Marcus Stoinis, Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme, Pawan Negi, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Focus will be on

KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab)

Wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul has been in spectacular form this season. He scored 226 runs in the last three matches at the same average. The right-hander has notched up two half-centuries and one century in these games and will look to be unstoppable in Mohali as well. The right-hander has got quite a good record here at this venue.

Marcus Stoinis (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Australian cricketer Marcus Stoinis hasn’t come up with a substantial performance in the league as yet. The conditions in Mohali will surely suit his style of play. The all-rounder has got long levers and can clear the ropes easily. Moreover, his bowling will be highly effective as the boundaries are quite long.