IPL 2019: RCB is a very strong team, reckons KXIP's Nicholas Pooran

Kings XI Punjab will be seeking some home solace after the heartbreaking loss against Mumbai Indians (MI). KXIP had done everything right in the game before they came against Kieron Pollard, the stand-in captain. Mumbai Indians were reeling at 65 for 3 after ten overs while chasing a daunting 198. Punjab were looking primed to win the game before Pollard launched a stunning assault.

The Windies star scored 83 off just 31 deliveries studded with 10 sixes before departing in the final over of the game. Alzarri Joseph then scored the required two runs on the final delivery to break Kings XI’s hearts. The Ravi Ashwin-led side will now be looking to get back to winning ways when they host Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Saturday. The Kings XI have won all of their three home games so far and will definitely fancy another win against a side which is yet to open its account.

The Royal Challengers are on the verge of getting eliminated from the tournament after losing all of their first six games. They now need nothing less than a miracle to make it to the playoffs. Unsurprisingly, they will start the game as the underdogs.  However, ahead of the game, Kings XI batsman Nicholas Pooran has warned his team to guard against complacency.

While expressing his delight over playing at home, Pooran said that ‘RCB is a very dangerous team’ before stating that he and his teammates are also ready to fight.

“Tomorrow is definitely going to be an exciting game. We are back home, we are excited and we have been doing really well in Mohali. We are looking forward to this contest as RCB is a very strong team. Every team is a strong team on their day but RCB has some really good players as well,” Pooran said in a video posted on the franchise’s Twitter handle.

“They need to get a win. We know that they’re going to come very hard at us. We are ready and we are ready to fight”

Nicky praa tey full pumped up hain kal de game vaaste. 💪

Hear him out, shers👂#SaddaPunjab #SaddaAkhada #KXIPvRCB @nicholas_47 pic.twitter.com/4Ysl3fiYvd

— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) April 12, 2019

Steyn boost for RCB:

Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers have roped in veteran South African bowler Dale Steyn for the remainder of the season to replace Nathan Coulter-Nile. Steyn, who has previously played for the franchise, had gone unsold in the auction. He’ll be joining the RCB squad on April 19. With death bowling being one of the team’s major problems this season, they would be hoping the Proteas star sorts that out.

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