IPL 2017: Royal Challengers v Kings XI Punjab, Game 43– Match Result Predictions

Who would imagine that Royal Challengers Bangalore were the finalist of IPL Last year, the same team who have been the first to be eliminated from this edition. Their batting woes have haunted them throughout the tournament as they have lost as many as 8 matches in the season far. They have been pathetic at times and their paltry show against KKR where they were bowled out for the lowest ever IPL score of 49 will remain the highlight of the tournament.

In a season where they have failed miserably to gel as a unit, the all-round form of Pawan Negi will be heartening signs for RCB ahead of their dead rubber against the Kings XI Punjab tomorrow. Their star-studded batting line-up comprising AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli have failed to get going which have added to their misery. Their bowler hasn’t raised their game either which have resulted in RCB sliding to the bottom of the points.

Kings XI Punjab, on the other hand, will be hoping for a victory to keep their playoffs hope alive. While they still have a realistic chance of making it through, it will be a monumental task for them to win each of their last 4 matches. Their top order boasts of some exceptional players with players like Hashim Amla and Shaun Marsh already announcing their arrival with some great knocks.

Kiwi swashbuckling opener Martin Guptill has also joined in the fun and has executed some lusty blows to perfection. Fast bowler Sandeep Sharma was simply superb during their clash against the Delhi Daredevils which was instrumental in bowling out DD for a mere 67 runs. While it will be a dead rubber for RCB, it will be a must-win contest for KXIP who still have realistic chances of qualifying for the playoffs.

In a week’s time, their South African recruits will be leaving for national duty which definitely leaves a huge void for them especially up the order. So with more than 15 hours to go for the 43^rd match of the tournament to commence let us have a look at the match predictions for tomorrow

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:                   

Scenario 1: RCB will win the toss

Toss Prediction: RCB will choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 155-165

2nd innings Prediction: KXIP will win by 13-16 runs  

Scenario 2: KXIP will win the toss

Toss Prediction: KXIP choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 140-145

2nd innings Prediction: KXIP will win by 6 wickets (with an over to spare)

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches –19, RCB Won – 8, KXIP Won – 11

KIXIP have an 11-8 win-loss advantage against RCB and given the hosts form off late, KXIP will start as firm favourites tomorrow. They have played some good cricket in patches and if they can play to their potential in the last few matches Punjab still have an outside chance of qualifying for the playoffs.

Team Combination

Royal Challengers Bangalore

The hosts have kept on tinkering with their combination and it is understandable given their horrendous run this season. They might bring in a few changes and give the untested players a game. Samuel Badree is expected to make a return at the expense of Shane Watson who has failed to make an impact in any roles. Chirs Gayle is also expected to make a return given RCB has kept him as a specailist for home matches.

Predicted XI: Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers, Travis Head, Kedar Jadhav (wk), Mandeep Singh, Pawan Negi, Samuel Badree, Sreenath Arvind, Aniket Choudhary, Yuzvendra Chahal

Kings XI Punjab

They are expected to retain the same XI. David Miller will warm the benches given Shaun Marsh’s form while the form of Martin Guptill up the order will definitely keep the team in good stead given Amla and Miller’s absence from the remaining matches due to national duty.

Predicted XI: Hashim Amla, Martin Guptill, Manan Vohra, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell (c), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Varun Aaron, T. Natarajan

Given RCB’s horrendous run, Kings XI Punjab will definitely start as favourites but you can never rule out a strong showing by the hosts given they have nothing to lose.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.

Note: This is purely a random call taken by the author