Strongest Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Playing XI against Punjab Kings (PBKS)

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) side will take on the Punjab Kings (PBKS) outfit in the 48th match of the 2021 edition of the IPL. Virat Kohli and his men are placed at the 3rd spot in the points table and will look to solidify their position in the top 4 with a victory over the KL Rahul-led outfit.

The RCB side produced a clinical performance against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) outfit in their previous rubber. Kohli’s boys chased down the target of 150 set by the Rajasthan side with 7 wickets and 17 balls to spare. On that note, let us take a look at the predicted playing XI of the RCB side for their battle against the Punjab Kings (PBKS).

Openers: Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal

Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal put on a 48-run stand for the RCB side in their previous match against Rajasthan to set the tone for the run chase. Both Kohli and Padikkal have been amongst the runs in the 2021 edition of the IPL.

While the right-handed Kohli has scored 332 runs in the tournament at an average of 33.20, Padikkal has amassed 309 runs at an average of 34.33. The start that Kohli and Padikkal give at the top of the order will be crucial for the RCB side against the Punjab Kings.

Middle Order: Srikar Bharat, Glenn Maxwell, and AB de Villiers

Srikar Bharat, Glenn Maxwell, and AB de Villiers will form the middle order of the RCB side against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Bharat has scored 32 and 44 in his last 2 IPL innings and has contributed useful runs for the Virat Kohli-led outfit.

Glenn Maxwell has once again found his form, and that is a good sign for the RCB franchise. The Aussie batsman plundered his way to a marauding 50* off just 30 deliveries against Rajasthan, and helped the RCB side to make light work of a target of 150. He has now scored back-to-back half-centuries and is looking dangerous.

Batting legend AB de Villiers has not found his mojo in the second half of the tournament. The 37-year-old has played 4 innings in the UAE leg of the IPL but has not managed to cross the 20-run mark. And, RCB will be hoping that de Villiers can contribute some runs when he takes guard against the RR outfit.

All Rounders: Shahbaz Ahmed, Daniel Christian, and George Garton

RCB will field three all-rounders in Shahbaz Ahmed, Daniel Christian, and George Garton for the encounter against the PBKS side. George Garton was not impressive with the ball in RCB’s match against Rajasthan. The left-arm pacer leaked 30 runs in his 3 overs and picked up one wicket.

Shahbaz Ahmed produced a good performance against Rajasthan Royals. In the 2 overs that he bowled, the left-arm spinner picked up 2 wickets and gave away just 10 runs in the process as well. Daniel Christian once again cut a sorry figure with the ball. The 38-year-old bowled 2 overs, and leaked runs at an economy rate of 10.50 runs per over, and picked up one wicket.

Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Yuzvendra Chahal

Whatever Harshal Patel has done with the ball this year has turned out to be successful. The right-arm pacer is the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2021 and has scalped a colossal 26 wickets at an average of 13.31. Patel picked up 3 wickets against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) side and put the brakes on the opposition.

Mohammed Siraj was tidy, giving away 18 runs in his 3 overs, but could not pick up a wicket. Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was outstanding in RCB’s previous match as well, and scalped 2 wickets in the 4 overs that he bowled, and gave away runs at an economy rate of 4.50 per over.