IPL 2024: Punjab Kings strongest predicted playing XI against Royal Challengers Bengaluru

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In a must-win game in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be up against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in what will be a thrilling encounter to look forward to. The 58th match of the season has a lot of consequences in terms of the chances of both teams qualifying for the playoffs. The team that loses might be down and out as other teams would progress further in the race to playoffs. The team winning would stay alive in the race for the playoffs.

The match is set to take place at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Cricket Stadium in Dharamshala on the 9th of May 2024 at 7:30 PM (IST). Both teams would be desperate to win this as they do not have any other choice. Both teams have had a similar journey in the tournament so far. Both RCB and PBKS have 4 wins and 7 losses to their in the 11 matches. RCB with a better net run rate is placed a position above PBKS. While RCB are placed in 7th position, PBKS are reeling in the eighth position.

Both teams have their own strengths and weaknesses. While PBKS is not getting enough contribution with the bat from the likes of Rilee Rossouw, Sam Curran, and Jitesh Sharma, RCB has the likes of Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell who have not fired with the bat as well as they would have liked. The winner of the match will secure 7th spot in the points table. But their chances of qualifying for the playoffs will stay alive. A loss would be a tough pill to swallow.

Here's the strongest predicted PBKS playing XI versus RCB IPL 2024 clash-

Openers - Jonny Bairstow and Prabsimran Singh (Impact substitute)

At the top of the order, PBKS are likely to continue with the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Prabsimran Singh. The latter will be in the team as an impact substitute and will be used as a pure batter. The emerging player has played fine knocks in the last few games and deserves to be backed despite failing in the last game. If required, he can be handy as a wicketkeeper in case they need to get rid of Jitesh Sharma due to his poor form in the season. Singh can take the game away in a matter of a few overs.

Jonny Bairstow has been the best batter of PBKS in the last 4-5 games. The right-handed batter has returned to form after failing to do well in the finest few matches of the season. The English batter played a key role in the highest run chase in the history of the league when PBKS chased 262 against KKR last month. The home side would love to see the opener play a similar knock as a batter and win an important game for the side. When on song, he is difficult to be stopped.

Middle Order - Rilee Rossouw, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shashank Singh, and Ashutosh Sharma

In the middle order, PBKS has good Indian talents. While many of them stepped up, others have not been at their best. Rilee Rossouw has failed to bat well for the 2014 runner-ups in 4 of the 5 games. The Southpaw has 79 runs in 5 games with a best score of 45 runs. Additionally, Jitesh Sharma has not been firing as a batter. Despite getting a lot of backing from the management, the WK batter has failed to live up to the expectations. He needs to step up as soon as possible.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Orange Cap

Shashank Singh has been the best batter of PBKS this season. The emerging batter was not known to many before this season and has come out as a surprise package. The right-handed batter has finished a lot of games for his side and helped PBKS chase down the biggest total in the history of the league. Ashutosh Sharma has been equally impressive as Shashank. Much like Singh, Sharma has been able to finish games well. The right-handed batter won some games for PBKS as a batter.

All-rounders - Sam Curran (C) and Harpreet Brar

PBKS have a good set of All-rounders. One of them is Sam Curran. The interim skipper has done a good job as a bowler and has been impressive as a captain. However, he needs to step up as a batter given the position he is batting. His poor form has cost PBKS a lot of games. The injury of Liam Livingstone came at the wrong time for PBKS as his absence has been felt. The English player's contribution as a batter and a bowler would have helped PBKS a lot.

Harpreet Brar has been handy as a lower-order batter. The emerging player has played fine cameos whenever opportunities came for him. As a bowler, he has been highly impressive. Though he is not a wicket-taker, Brar can make an impact with his economical spells. PBKS has missed the services of Sikandar Raza who did not get to play a lot of games and had to pull out of the tournament midway due to the national services. PBKS needs Brar to be at his best against RCB.

Bowlers - Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, and Rahul Chahar

PBKS have one of the best bowling lineups this season. The home conditions assisting the bowlers have also played a key role in it. The 2014 finalists have Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh as the new-ball pair. While Rabada has been a bit expensive, he has gotten some important wickets. The South African needs to be consistent with his contributions. Arshdeep will also operate at the death and is a wicket-taking option. His form is crucial for PBKS to stay alive in the league.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Purple Cap

To deliver at the death alongside Arshdeep, PBKS has Harshal Patel. He is a wicket-taker and can bowl good slower ones at the death. He will also operate in the middle overs alongside Brar and Rahul Chahar. The latter has been the best bowler of PBKS in the last 3-4 games. He has been miserly and has taken wickets as well. The leg-spinner bowled well in both game against CSK and made an impact in the death overs too. All of the bowlers in PBKS can bat a bit, which is a good advantage.

PBKS XI for the match against RCB -

Jonny Bairstow, Rilee Rossouw, Sam Curran (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar

Impact Substitute: Prabhsimran Singh

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