The highly anticipated showdown between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) unfolds at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. Both teams are battling to sustain their dimming hopes of reaching the playoffs.
Pressure intensifies on PBKS and RCB
With Mumbai Indians (MI) becoming the first team to be knocked out of the final four race, the stakes are higher than ever for the competing teams. The loser of this clash will join MI in the unfortunate category, facing an early exit from the tournament. PBKS, coming off a defeat against CSK, are already grappling with a compromised position in the play-offs race. Meanwhile, RCB enter the field with a vital momentum, boasting a three-match winning streak.
Toss and playing XI changes
Sam Curran, the skipper of PBKS, won the toss and opted to bowl first in this crucial encounter against RCB. Both teams have made a change in their playing XIs. Punjab opted to leave out their esteemed pacer Kagiso Rabada, while RCB sidelined Glenn Maxwell.
Absence of star players explained
Although both captains refrained from explicitly mentioning the reasons behind the absence of Rabada and Maxwell, it appears that current form played a significant role. Rabada, who has struggled to make a mark as expected, has only managed to secure 11 wickets in 11 matches with an economy of 8.86. Similarly, Maxwell, known for his explosive batting and handy off-spin, has been underwhelming for RCB, accumulating a mere 36 runs in 8 games and claiming only 5 wickets.
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PBKS vs RCB, Playing XI of both teams
Punjab Kings: Jonny Bairstow(w), Prabhsimran Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Sam Curran(c), Ashutosh Sharma, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Vidhwath Kaverappa
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Mahipal Lomror, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik(w), Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson
Impact Substitutes of both sides
PBKS: Harpreet Brar, Tanay Thyagarajan, Rishi Dhawan, Jitesh Sharma, Nathan Ellis
RCB: Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Dayal, Mayank Dagar
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