Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 58th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday. After winning four out of eleven matches, PBKS are at the eighth position in the IPL 2024 standings. On the other hand, RCB are currently at the seventh position in the IPL 2024 standings with eight points on the board, having won four of the eleven matches.
Ahead of another exciting clash between these teams, we take a look at the predicted XIs of both sides.
PBKS predicted XI
Prabhsimran Singh
Prabhsimran Singh will open the innings for PBKS in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan. He finally found his form in IPL 2024, scoring 251 runs in 11 matches. With an over-fifty score and a strike rate of 156.88 to his name, the right-hander will be focused on guiding his side to a smooth start on Thursday.
Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow's recent batting performances have been remarkable. With an impressive average of 32.13 and a strike rate of 163.69, he has amassed 257 runs in nine matches. The England wicketkeeper-batsman has even achieved a century in IPL 2024 and will be determined to challenge RCB's bowlers in front of the home crowd.
Rilee Rossouw
Rilee Rossouw didn't have an ideal start to his IPL 2024 journey, but he has steadily found some form. In five matches, Rossouw has amassed 79 points, highlighted by a quick cameo of 43 points against CSK. After posting a score of 151.92, the South African international will be determined to make a significant impact against RCB in the upcoming match on Thursday.
Shashank Singh
Shashank Singh plays a crucial role in the Punjab Kings batting line-up. With 315 runs in 11 matches, the batsman boasts of an excellent average of 63 and an impressive strike rate of 165.79. He is the team's top scorer this season and could be a game changer in the upcoming match against RCB.
Sam Curran (captain)
In the absence of the injured Shikhar Dhawan, Sam Curran will take on the role of captain. Although Curran's batting performance was average, his bowling shone brightly, with 13 wickets in 11 IPL 2024 matches. He will be keen to make a significant contribution with both bat and ball in the upcoming match.
Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper)
Jitesh Sharma is certainly strengthening the Punjab Kings batting line-up. Despite an underperformance with the bat in IPL 2024, having amassed just 128 runs in 11 matches, Sharma's ability to unleash powerful shots could overwhelm the RCB bowling unit on Thursday.
Ashutosh Sharma
Ashutosh Sharma has enjoyed a sensational debut IPL season. The veteran batsman was formidable, scoring 162 runs in just eight games. With a half-century to his name and an impressive strike rate of 172.34, Sharma has shown that he is a match-winner. If he is allowed to bat against RCB, he has the potential to collect crucial runs and speed up the innings for his team.
Harpreet Brar
Harpreet Brar will lead PBKS' spin bowling attack in the upcoming match. With six wickets to his name in 11 matches and a decent economy rate of 7.56, Brar has shown his bowling prowess. Besides taking wickets, he is also handy in controlling the opposition batters. Moreover, he has batting skills and can contribute crucial runs lower down the order.
Rahul Chahar
Rahul Chahar will partner Harpreet Brar in the spin bowling attack. His varied spin arsenal has the potential to outwit even the most seasoned batters, helping him claim eight wickets in six matches this season. Chahar starts this match fresh from a three-wicket performance against CSK and will look to add to his wicket tally against RCB.
Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel is a key figure in the pace bowling department of Punjab Kings. The right-arm pacer is currently the second-highest wicket-taker in the ongoing IPL edition with 17 scalps from 11 matches. His skill in delivering deceptive, slower balls will be instrumental in containing batters and securing crucial breakthroughs for PBKS.
Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada is expected to lead the Punjab Kings' bowling attack on Thursday. His ability to take wickets in the powerplay and maintain accurate lengths has resulted in 11 scalps in 11 matches this season. Rabada will be keen to bring about early dismissals and put pressure on RCB.
Impact sub
Arshdeep Singh
RCB predicted XI
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli goes into this match with a 27-ball and 42 runs in his last match against Gujarat Titans. Kohli's innings included two boundaries and four sixes, with a striking figure of 155.56. With a total of 542 runs in just 11 matches this season, he is the leading run-scorer in IPL 2024 and will look to contribute again on Thursday.
Faf du Plessis (captain)
RCB captain Faf du Plessis will open the innings alongside Virat Kohli in the upcoming match against PBKS. Faf was in decent form in IPL 2024 with 352 runs in 11 matches, including three fifty-plus scores, while maintaining an impressive strike rate of 172.55. The former Proteas captain will be keen to put up a big score in the upcoming match.
Will Jacks
In IPL 2024, Will Jacks announced himself with a blistering 41-ball ton against GT. With 177 runs in six matches at an average of 35.40 and a strike rate of 186.32, the English batsman was excellent. Jacks also contributed with the ball, claiming two wickets for RCB. The hard-hitting English cricketer will be keen to showcase his power-hitting skills in Dharamshala.
Rajat Patidar
Talented batsman Rajat Patidar is a key member of the RCB line-up. With a strike rate of 178.53, Patidar has scored 213 runs in 11 matches in IPL 2024. He did not bat well in the previous match but Rajat will like to come back sooner or later with a fiery performance.
Glenn Maxwell
With just 36 runs in eight matches, Glenn Maxwell is yet to have a successful outing with the bat in IPL 2024. However, the Australian all-rounder has managed to claim five wickets and is capable of taking away matches with the bat if he is in form is. , making him an important player for RCB.
Cameron Green
Maxwell's compatriot Cameron Green adds depth to both RCB's batting and bowling departments. Green has underperformed with the bat this season, but has been impressive with ball in hand. The Australian all-rounder has taken seven wickets in nine matches and will look to put in an all-round performance against PBKS.
Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper)
The addition of Dinesh Karthik to RCB's starting line-up injects crucial firepower into their already lethal batting line-up. In 11 matches, the wicketkeeper-batsman has amassed 283 runs, including two scores of over fifty. He also has an impressive average of 56.60 and a striking score of 193.84. Karthik will look to make a significant impact and further strengthen his run in the upcoming match against Punjab.
Swapnil Singh
Swapnil Singh has made some impact with ball in hand in IPL 2024. The off-spinner's ability to outwit batters with his spin variations has led to him taking three wickets in three matches. He could lead the spin bowling attack for RCB and will look to improve his wicket count against PBKS on Thursday.
Karn Sharma
Karn Sharma is a key member of the RCB spin bowling outfit and has scalped four wickets in five matches. He is likely to play a crucial role in containing PBKS' batters and will look to provide breakthroughs during the middle overs.
Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace bowling attack for RCB. Although the Indian speedster has taken just eight wickets in ten matches, he has been a bit expensive, with an economy rate of 9.26. Siraj hopes to make early breakthroughs with the new ball in the upcoming match.
Yasj Dayal
The inclusion of Yash Dayal in RCB's playing XI adds an element of anticipation and excitement to the team's bowling line-up. With his versatile skills, Dayal has taken 10 wickets in as many matches. Known for his deceptive bowling variations, Dayal is the team's best wicket-taker and is poised to make a significant impact on the game.
Impact sub
Vijaykumar Vyshak
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