IPL 2018: Match 48, Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - Toss Report

Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and decided to field first against Kings XI Punjab in the forty-eighth match of the Indian Premier League at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore.

Here is what the captains said:

Virat Kohli:

No brainer. We will have a bowl first. It is a very difficult ground to defend here. There are also one mystery bowler short. Look in every team, there would be two or three stand out performances. KL and Gayle have played well for them.

Ravi Ashwin: I mean the T20 format is very unforgiving. There are no execuses. Unfortunately, we have lost Mujeeb from the last game, who got injured and Marcus Stoinis comes in.

Preview:

A lot will be at stake when Kings XI Punjab host Royal Challengers Bangalore in Indore tonight. The Kings XI have not quite managed to build upon their fine start to the season. The Ashwin-led side had 10 points from the first 7 games and was looking set to make it to the playoffs comfortably. However, in their next four games, they suffered three defeats and all of a sudden their season is in jeopardy. Another loss can pretty much derail their season.

On the other hand, the Royal Challengers will have to win this game at any cost to remain in contention for the last four. They can still make it to the playoffs mathematically and need to win this game for the same. However, they will have their task cut out despite winning their last game against Delhi Daredevils. The Bangalore-based outfit has not won two back-to-back games since 2016 and will have to be at their best to beat the hosts.

Playing elevens:

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Parthiv Patel(w), Moeen Ali, Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Kings XI Punjab :

Lokesh Rahul(w), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Andrew Tye, Barinder Sran, Mohit Sharma