As the IPL 2024 season enters its nail-biting final stages, the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 9th takes on monumental importance. With both teams lingering precariously on the fringes of the playoff race, this clash at Dharamshala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium could make or break their dreams of lifting the coveted IPL trophy.
A Tale of Two Journeys
RCB and PBKS have travelled strikingly similar paths this season, each amassing four wins and seven losses from their 11 matches. However, RCB’s superior net run rate has afforded them a slender advantage, placing them seventh in the standings, one rung above PBKS. Yet, with the margins so fine, a single misstep could prove catastrophic for either side’s playoff aspirations.
See Also: T20 World Cup 2024: Check squads announced so far
Strengths and Weaknesses
While both teams boast formidable lineups, their respective Achilles’ heels have been equally glaring. For PBKS, the inconsistent performances of Rilee Rossouw, Sam Curran, and Jitesh Sharma have left their batting order vulnerable. Conversely, RCB’s star duo of Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell still need to deliver the fireworks expected of them consistently.
HPCA Stadium Dharamsala Pitch Report
The Dharamshala pitch promises to be a crucial factor in this high-stakes encounter. Known for its pace, bounce, and lateral movement, the surface historically favours the bowlers, particularly the pacers. However, batting becomes increasingly comfortable on this high-scoring ground once the initial onslaught is weathered.
While the pitch’s true pace and bounce will delight the quicker bowlers, the spinners may find themselves out of their comfort zone. The lack of appreciable turn could render their efforts ineffective, placing added pressure on the pace battery to deliver decisive blows.
Traditionally, teams have opted to bowl first upon winning the toss at this venue, banking on their ability to chase down targets on a surface that becomes increasingly batter-friendly as the match progresses. However, with so much at stake, captaincy decisions could well defy conventional wisdom.
The Road Ahead
For the team that emerges victorious, the seventh spot on the points table will be secured, keeping their playoff dreams alive – albeit by the slenderest of threads. Conversely, the losing side will face the harsh reality of potential elimination, their IPL 2024 campaign hanging by a precarious thread.
As the sun sets over the picturesque Dharamshala stadium, the stage is set for a clash that could redefine the fortunes of two teams locked in a desperate battle for survival. With the stakes soaring higher than ever, RCB and PBKS will leave no stone unturned to seize the day and keep their playoff hopes burning.
H2H Records:
RCB: 15, PBKS: 17
Punjab Kings Team Preview:
Punjab Kings have a poor season so far. They are currently at the 8th rank with 4 wins out of the 11 matches.
Team News:
- Shikhar Dhawan has good chance of playing this match.
PBKS vs RCB HEAD-TO-HEAD IN IPL
Matches played: 32
Punjab Kings won: 17
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won: 15
Last result: RCB won by four wickets (Bengaluru; 2024)
PBKS vs RCB HEAD-TO-HEAD IN IPL IN DHARAMSALA
Matches played: 1
Punjab Kings won: 1
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won: 0
Last result: Kings XI Punjab won by 111 runs (2011)
PBKS OVERALL RECORD IN IPL IN DHARAMSALA
Played: 12
Won: 5
Lost: 7
Last result: Lost to Chennai Super Kings by 28 runs (2024)
Highest score: 232/2 (20) vs RCB (May 17, 2011)
Lowest score: 116 (19) vs Deccan Chargers (May 21, 2011)
Last 3 IPL Matches at this Venue:
CSK: 167/9, PBKS: 139/9(20)(Pace: 10 Spin: 7)
PBKS: 187/5, RR: 189/6(19.4)(Pace: 9 Spin: 2)
DC: 213/2(20), PBKS: 198/8(20)(Pace: 7 Spin: 1)
Last 4 ODI World Cup Matches at this Venue:
AUS: 388/10, NZ: 383/9(50)(Pace:9 Spin:9)
NZ: 273/10(50), IND: 274/6(48)(Pace:11 Spin:3)
NED: 245/8(43), SA: 207/10(42.5)(Pace:14 Spin:4)
ENG: 364/9(50), BAN: 227/10(48.2)(Pace:12 Spin:7)
Probable12 of the Punjab:
- J Bairstow: RHB
- Prabhsimran Singh: RHB
- R Rossouw: LHB
- Shashank Singh: RHB
- Sam Curran: LHB+LAM
- Jitesh Sharma: RHB(wk)
- Ashutosh Sharma: RHB
- Harpreet Brar: LHB+LAO
- Harshal Patel: RHB+RAM
- Rahul Chahar: RAL
- Kagiso Rabada: RHB
- Arshdeep Singh: LAM:
Team Composition:
Main Batters: Shikhar Dhawan, L Livingstone, Shashank Singh and J Bairstow
Main Pacers: Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curran, K Rabada and Harshal Patel
Main Spinners: Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar
Expected Death overs: Harshal Patel and Arshdeep Singh/Sam Curran
Expected Overs Distribution:
Arshdeep Singh: 3-4
Harshal Patel: 3-4
Sam Curran: 3-4
K Rabada: 3-4
Rahul Chahar: 3-4
Harpreet Brar: 3-4
Importing Picks for the Small Leagues of Dream11 and other fantasy sites:
- Sam Curran
- Shashank Singh
- J Bairstow
- Harshal Patel(first bowling)
Trump Card Picks:
- R Rossouw
- Kagiso Rabada
- Arshdeep Singh
RCB Team Preview:
RCB have performed poorly till now and have won only 4 matches till now and are currently at the 7th rank. They have won their last 2 matches and team will have to win their remaining 2 matches in order to keep their play-offs hope alive.
Team News:
They are expected to go with the same playing11.
Probable12 of RCB:
- Faf Duplessis: RHB
- Virat Kohli: RHB
- Will Jacks: RHB+RAO
- Rajat Patidar: RHB
- Glen Maxwell: RHB+RAO
- Cam Green: RHB+RAM
- Dinesh Karthik: RHB(wk)(will play the role of a finisher)
- Swapnil Singh: RHB+LAO
- Karn Sharma: RAL
- Vijaykumar Vyshak: RAM
- M Siraj: RAM
- Yash Dayal: LAF
Expected Overs Distribution:
M Siraj: 4
Yash Dayal: 4
Swapnil Singh: 2-4
Karn Sharma: 2-4
Glen Maxwell: 1-3
Cam Green: 3-4
Vijaykumar: 2-3
W Jacks: 0-2
Team Composition:
Main Batters: Virat Kohli, F Duplessis, W Jacks, Glen Maxwell and Rajat Patidar
Main Pacers: M Siraj, C Green and Yash Dayal (Vijaykumar Vyshak will assist them)
Main Spinners: Karn Sharma and Swapnil Singh (G Maxwell and W Jacks will assist them)
Death Overs: M Siraj and Yash Dayal
Important Picks for the Small Leagues of Dream11 and other fantasy sites:
- Virat Kohli,
- F Duplessis
- W Jacks
- C Green
- Yash Dayal
Trump Card Picks for the Grand Leagues of Dream11 and other fantasy sites:
- M Siraj(first bowling)
- Rajat Patidar
- Glen Maxwell
Best Choice Of C And Vc( For Small Leagues)
- Virat Kohli
- Faf Duplessis
- Sam Curran
GL Captaincy Choice (It includes all the captaincy choices of Small Leagues
- W Jacks
- C Green
PBKS vs RCB IPL record in HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
The two sides have crossed paths only once in Dharamsala with the match taking place back in 2011, when Adam Gilchrist’s century powered PBKS to 232 before Piyush Chawla (4 for 17) and Ryan Harris (3 for 28) helped bundle out RCB for 121 to seal a massive 111-run win.
MOST RUNS IN PBKS VS RCB IPL MATCHES
Batter | Inns. | Runs | Avg. | SR | HS |
Virat Kohli (RCB) | 31 | 938 | 33.50 | 129.73 | 113 |
Chris Gayle (RCB, PBKS) | 17 | 873 | 54.56 | 169.18 | 117 |
AB De Villiers (RCB) | 21 | 718 | 47.86 | 159.91 | 89* |
MOST WICKETS IN PBKS VS RCB IPL MATCHES
Bowler | Inns. | Wkts. | Econ. | Avg. | BBI |
Yuzvendra Chahal (RCB) | 16 | 25 | 7.88 | 17.08 | 4/25 |
Sandeep Sharma (PBKS) | 10 | 16 | 8.33 | 18.75 | 3/15 |
Piyush Chawla (PBKS) | 12 | 15 | 7.06 | 20.73 | 4/17 |