Dharamshala, May 8
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is witnessing a gripping battle for survival as the resurgent Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gear up to face the unpredictable Punjab Kings in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter on Thursday.
RCB, after a rocky start to the season, have found their footing with three consecutive victories. This winning streak has not only boosted their morale but also elevated them to the seventh position on the points table. With eight points from 11 games, RCB still harbor hopes of making it to the playoffs if they maintain their winning momentum in the remaining fixtures.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings find themselves in a similar predicament, also with eight points from 11 games and occupying the eighth spot on the table. With both teams eyeing the crucial 14-point mark, this clash holds immense significance for their playoff aspirations.
RCB enter the contest with confidence riding high, having secured a victory against PBKS earlier in the season. The team’s top order, led by the consistent Virat Kohli and rejuvenated skipper Faf du Plessis, presents a formidable challenge for the opposition. Additionally, the recent exploits of Will Jacks and Cameron Green have bolstered RCB’s batting lineup, while the resurgence of Mohammed Siraj adds teeth to their bowling attack.
In contrast, Punjab Kings have endured a rollercoaster season marked by moments of brilliance and inconsistency. Despite impressive performances on the road, they have struggled to replicate the same form at home. The team’s fortunes heavily rely on a collective effort from both the batting and bowling units.
As the two teams prepare to square off, all eyes will be on the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, where PBKS will look to turn their home fortunes around. With playoffs aspirations hanging in the balance, expect a fiercely contested battle between RCB’s resurgence and PBKS’s quest for consistency.
**Squads:**
**Punjab Kings:** Sam Curran ©, Matthew Short, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sikandar Raza, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Kagiso Rabada, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa, Shivam Singh, Harshal Patel, Chris Woakes, Ashutosh Sharma, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Shashank Singh, Tanay Thyagarajan, Prince Choudhary, Rilee Rossouw.
**Royal Challengers Bengaluru:** Faf du Plessis ©, Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Mayank Dagar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Swapnil Singh, Saurav Chauhan.
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