The last Sunday of the League stage of the 2021 IPL will start with the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings. The past few results in the league strengthened Royal Challengers' Playoffs claim. However, to get into the top two, they must win all three matches and hope one of Chennai Super Kings or Delhi Capitals to falter twice. Punjab, on the other hand, one of four teams on 10 points, and cannot afford any slip up. To remain in the race, they have to win this game as their fate will depend on other results too.
Bangalore won their previous match, on Wednesday, when their spinners choked the Rajasthan Royals batters in the middle overs, and Harshal Patel picked up three wickets in the last over. The chase was perfectly managed by K.S. Bharat and Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell is is in great form in both departments, and has been key to RCB’s success this year. Bharat and Maxwell have taken off Virat Kohli and A.B. de Villiers. In fact, de Villiers has faced just 14 deliveries since the resumption of IPL in the UAE.
While Harshal has been their biggest success story in bowling, the team management and Kohli will be pleased with Yuzvendra Chahal’s recent performance. After having played a chunk of India’s T20Is in the past few years, missing out on a World Cup spot must have been a big blow to him. However, this has not stopped him to improve his bowling, and his spells in last few matches are testimony to that.
Harshal’s 26 wickets and contributions from all-rounders like Dan Christian and Shahbaz Ahmed have covered for the lack of wickets from Mohammed Siraj who has been playing non-stop for the last few months. If RCB qualify with a match in hand, they may want to rest him.
Multiple dropped catches and a controversial decision helped Punjab chase a moderate target in the 20th over against Kolkata Knight Riders. Batting is their weak spot, and with Chris Gayle gone, they will be even more dependent on openers K.L. Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. They will look for more contributions from Nicolas Pooran, Aiden Markram and Deepak Hooda. After being left out in the earlier matches in the UAE, Shahrukh Khan showed his value during the chase against KKR and should cement his place in the eleven.
Their bowling is in better form with the experienced Mohammed Shami bowling in tandem with youngsters like Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi. Arshdeep has been their standout bowler and highest wicket-taker this season, while Bishnoi’s leg-spin provides them with a very good option in the middle overs. They may strengthen their leg-spin attack by including Adil Rashid in this match in place of Fabien Allen, who may miss due to injury.
Likely XIs
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, K.S. Bharat (wk), Glenn Maxwell, A.B. de Villiers, Dan Christian, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, George Garton, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
Punjab Kings: K.L. Rahul (c & wk), Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Fabien Allen/Adil Rashid, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Nathan Ellis, Arshdeep Singh
Betway Fantasy Tips
- All four openers can play big innings and should be considered for fantasy
- Maxwell is in great form and a good option for all-rounder
- Harshal and Arshdeep are in good wicket-taking form
Blitzpools Fantasy XI
KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Shahrukh Khan, Aiden Markram; Glenn Maxwell (c), Dan Christian, Harshal Patel (vc), Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi
