Match particulars
Punjab Kings (PBKS, eighth) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB, seventh)
Dharamsala, 7:30pm IST (2pm GMT)
Massive image: RCB’s batting unit clicks into gear
The winner of Thursday’s contest will preserve their slim hopes of creating the playoffs alive, the loser will be a part of Mumbai Indians because the second aspect to be eradicated this season.
RCB of their first six matches and of their final 5 matches are two totally different groups. Their batters have flicked a swap ever since they misplaced to Sunrisers Hyderabad by a mere 25 runs in a chase of 288. RCB’s lowest rating within the final 5 video games is the 152 they made chasing 148 in opposition to Gujarat Titans in Bengaluru. What’s helped them is Faf du Plessis coming again to type and a steady prime 4 – comprising Virat Kohli, du Plessis, Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar.
Du Plessis has hit two fifties within the final 5 matches, and because of this, enabled RCB to attain faster within the first six overs. Their run-rate within the powerplay within the final 5 matches (12.3) is much superior to what it was within the first six (8.27). This has allowed them to have the likes of Jacks and Patidar batting within the center overs, as a result of further dangers early on do generally lead to wickets however these have labored in RCB’s favour, which once more displays within the run-rate. With higher spin-hitters on the crease, they are going at 11.03 within the center overs in matches since April 15 versus 8.41 within the video games earlier than that.
The opposite impact of this batting resurgence is that Kohli, who has been constant from the beginning of IPL 2024, is free to play as he needs – evidenced by the leap in his strike price from 141.77 (first six video games) to 158.15 (final 5 matches). Which is all a part of why this match in opposition to PBKS comes at maybe the correct time for RCB.
PBKS are very good vacationers however don’t discover a lot solace at house. They’ve had three house venues within the final two seasons – Mohali, Dharamsala and the most recent addition Mullanpur – probably the most for any crew. In IPL 2024, they’ve gained three out of the 5 away video games however just one in six at house. PBKS have the bottom proportion of house wins within the final two seasons, and their conflict in opposition to RCB is their final in Dharamsala in IPL 2024.
Kind information
Punjab Kings LWWLL (final 5 accomplished video games, most up-to-date first)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru WWWLL
Staff information and Influence Participant technique
Punjab Kings
Shikhar Dhawan has not travelled with the aspect to Dharamsala, so anticipate them to play the identical mixture that has helped them win two of their final three video games.
Possible XII: 1 Prabhsimran Singh, 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 Rilee Rossouw, 4 Shashank Singh, 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Ashutosh Sharma, 7 Sam Curran (capt), 8 Harpreet Brar, 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Rahul Chahar, 12 Arshdeep Singh
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Glenn Maxwell returned to motion after an extended break and contributed a wicket in RCB’s win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad and wasn’t required with the bat. However within the reverse fixture, he fell for a duck to proceed his lean run. RCB might stick with him or think about getting Reece Topley and his variations in on a floor which had help for the slower bowlers within the PBKS-CSK match. Patidar and Yash Dayal look to be the seemingly Influence Sub swap once more.
Possible XII: 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Faf du Plessis (capt), 3 Will Jacks, 4 Rajat Patidar, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Cameron Inexperienced, 7 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 8 Swapnil Singh, 9 Karn Sharma, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Vijaykumar Vyshak, 12 Yash Dayal
Within the highlight: Will Jacks and Harpreet Brar
Earlier than his IPL debut, Jacks had performed 131 of his 155 T20 innings as an opener. However at RCB, he has batted at No. 3 and made that spot his personal though he has had combined returns. 4 of his six innings have been single-digit scores whereas the opposite two knocks noticed him rating a 55 and a 100 not out. He’ll have his process lower out for him in opposition to a bowling assault that has been the second-most economical (8.33 to Chennai Tremendous Kings’ 8.07) within the first 16 overs (powerplay and center overs), and probably the most economical within the first ten overs in IPL 2024.
Stats that matter
Pitch and circumstances
In Dharamsala, captains successful the toss have opted to bowl within the three IPL matches since final 12 months and solely as soon as have gone on to win the match. Even within the first sport on the venue this season – PBKS’ earlier outing – Chennai Tremendous Kings managed to defend 167 efficiently. The temperature in Dharamsala is forecast to be within the early twenties.
Quotes
“We go to Delhi after this [RCB game] for a few days, earlier than we go to our subsequent sport in Guwahati [against Royals on May 15], and Shikhar can be assessed. Hopefully we will have some extra optimistic information on the final couple of [league phase] video games however we are going to assess him once we get to Delhi.”
Punjab Kings assistant coach Brad Haddin provides an availability replace on injured captain Shikhar Dhawan
S Sudarshanan is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Sudarshanan7
