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

It will be a high voltage cricket match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore when hosts Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) will meet Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 48^th fixture of Vivo Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018.

Both teams will be wrestling in the must-win clash. However, it is a do-or-die situation for the Royal Challengers in particular. Courtesy their comprehensive victory against Delhi Daredevils (RCB).

Bangalore has still kept their hopes alive of qualifying to the playoffs. The victory was largely built around two modern greats, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

Bangalore has below par in the tournament so far. Barring some special knocks from Virat and de Villiers in particular, Kohli’s team has hardly done anything substantial, especially in the batting department. Their middle-order looks brittle and eventually lacks experience.

RCB is overly reliant on the services of Kohli and De Villiers which hasn’t given them the required results in the tournament so far.

The bowling department has also leaked runs on several occasions. Umesh Yadav has bowled quite magnificently in the powerplays. However, when it comes to the death overs, he has been taken for runs as he has strayed all over the park.

The inclusion of Tim Southee has helped Bangalore. Mohammed Siraj has also put up some impressive performances in between. Bangalore will be well aware of the fact that any more hiccups will mean the end of the road for them in this edition. A victory will still keep them in the hunt, albeit the chances being slim.

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Punjab, on the other hand, faces a pretty tricky situation. They started off the tournament in sensational fashion. However, their twin losses in the last couple of games have jeopardized their chances of making it through to the playoffs.

The form of Kl Rahul has been exceptional at the top of the order. However his partner Chris Gayle has slowly faded out after a sensational start to the tournament. Th0e duo needs to give Punjab a flying start on Monday evening (May 14 if they hope to win the clash and return to winning ways.

Their bowling department has been led Andrew Tye, who is currently the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 20 scalps to his name. He has used his slower deliveries to great effect and has been quite effective especially at the back end of the innings.

Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman has also been a standout bowler for Punjab. He has provided wickets at crucial junctures in the game which makes him an integral part of the set-up.

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Team Combinations-

Kings XI Punjab:

Punjab has a lot to worry about. The middle order has failed to provide the much-needed stability. Karun Nair who is the third highest run-getter for Punjab in the tournament so far made full use of the optional practice session.

Ashwin, Rahul, and Axar Patel were the only players to take part in the optional session who were part of the previous match.

Ankit Rajpoot is expected to return at the expense of Barinder Sran. There are chances of Mujeeb getting replaced by swashbuckler David Miller. The young leggie endured a difficult day against Royals.

Predicted XI: KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Karun Nair, Aaron Finch, David Miller/Mujeeb-ur Rahman, Manoj Tiwary, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohit Sharma, AJ Tye, Ankit Rajpoot

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Bangalore need to win all their remaining three matches to harbour hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.

After the win in the previous game, Kohli will like to believe that they finally got the winning formula. Hence, Bangalore is expected to go unchanged.

Predicted XI: Parthiv Patel, Moeen Ali, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Mandeep Singh. Sarfaraz Khan, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Mohammad Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal

Match Prediction:

Punjab is at the third position in the points table at the moment. They began quite well but have fallen off in the radar in the recent past.

On the other hand, Bangalore has just gained momentum from the victory against the Delhi.

Well, I will go with Royal Challengers Bangalore for this particular encounter. 

Kohli and De Villiers have to do the bulk of the scoring if Bangalore wants a victory.

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