Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 58th match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday. Having won four games out of 11, PBKS are placed eighth in the IPL 2024 standings. On the other hand, RCB are currently placed seventh in the IPL 2024 standings with eight points on the board after winning four matches out of 11.
Ahead of another exciting clash between these teams, we 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 eventually found his form in IPL 2024 and has scored 251 runs in 11 matches. With a fifty-plus score and strike rate of 156.88 to his name, the right-hander will aim to guide his team to a brisk start on Thursday.
Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow’s recent batting performances have been remarkable. Sporting an impressive average of 32.13 and a strike rate of 163.69, he has amassed 257 runs in nine matches. The English wicketkeeper-batter has even notched 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 beginning to his IPL 2024 journey, but he has steadily found a bit of form. In five matches, Rossouw has accumulated 79 runs, highlighted by a rapid 43-run cameo against CSK. Having scored at a strike rate of 151.92, the South African international will be determined to make a significant impact against RCB in the upcoming fixture on Thursday.
Shashank Singh
Shashank Singh plays a crucial role in the Punjab Kings’ batting lineup. With 315 runs in 11 matches, the hard-hitting batter flaunts an outstanding 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 their upcoming match against RCB.
Sam Curran (captain)
In the absence of the injured Shikhar Dhawan, Sam Curran will assume the role of captaincy. While Curran’s batting performances have been average, his bowling has shone brightly, with 13 wickets in 11 IPL 2024 matches. He will be eager to make significant contributions with both bat and ball in the upcoming match.
Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper)
Jitesh Sharma certainly bolsters the Punjab Kings’ batting lineup. Despite a subpar performance with the bat in IPL 2024, having amassed only 128 runs in 11 matches, Sharma’s capacity to unleash powerful shots could catch the RCB bowling unit off guard come Thursday.
Ashutosh Sharma
Ashutosh Sharma has enjoyed a sensational debut IPL season. The skilled batter has been formidable, accumulating 162 runs in just eight matches. With a half-century to his name and an impressive strike rate of 172.34, Sharma has shown signs of being a match-winner. If allowed to bat against RCB, he has the potential to amass crucial runs and accelerate the innings for his team.
Harpreet Brar
Harpreet Brar is set to spearhead PBKS’ spin bowling attack in the upcoming match. With six wickets to his credit in 11 matches and a decent economy rate of 7.56, Brar has showcased his bowling prowess. Along with taking wickets, he is also handy in containing the opposition batters. Additionally, he possesses batting skills and can contribute crucial runs lower down the order.
Rahul Chahar
Rahul Chahar will partner with Harpreet Brar in the spin bowling attack. His diverse spin arsenal has the potential to outfox even the most seasoned batters, leading him to claim eight wickets in six matches this season. Chahar heads into this match fresh from a three-wicket performance against CSK and will look to add to his wickets tally against RCB.
Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel is a key figure in the pace bowling department for 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 proficiency in delivering deceptive slower balls will be instrumental in both containing batters and securing vital breakthroughs for PBKS.
Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada is expected to lead the Punjab Kings’ bowling attack on Thursday. His ability to take wickets during the powerplay and maintain accurate lengths has resulted in 11 scalps in 11 matches this season. Rabada will be eager to secure early dismissals and put pressure on RCB.
Impact sub
Arshdeep Singh
RCB Predicted XI
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli heads into this match on the back of a 27-ball 42 runs in his last match against Gujarat Titans. Kohli’s innings included two boundaries and four sixes, showcasing a striking rate 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 along with Virat Kohli in the upcoming match against PBKS. Faf has been 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 eager to put up a big score in the upcoming match.
Will Jacks
In IPL 2024, Will Jacks announced himself with a blazing 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 batter has been outstanding. Jacks has also contributed with the ball, claiming two wickets for RCB. The hard-hitting English cricketer will be eager to showcase his power-hitting skills at Dharamshala.
Rajat Patidar
Talented batter Rajat Patidar is an important member of the RCB lineup. 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 be keen to bounce back with a fiery performance sooner rather than later.
Glenn Maxwell
With only 36 runs in eight matches, Glenn Maxwell has 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 games away with the bat when in form, making him a key player for RCB.
Cameron Green
Maxwell’s compatriot Cameron Green adds depth to RCB’s batting as well as bowling department. Green has had a below-par performance with the bat this season but has been impressive with the ball in hand. The Australian all-rounder has taken seven wickets in nine matches and will aim to produce an all-round performance against PBKS.
Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper)
The addition of Dinesh Karthik to RCB’s starting lineup injects crucial firepower into their already lethal batting lineup. In 11 matches, the wicketkeeper-batter has accumulated 283 runs, including two fifty-plus scores. He also boasts an impressive average of 56.60 and a striking rate of 193.84. Karthik will look to make a significant impact and further bolster his run tally in the upcoming match against Punjab.
Swapnil Singh
Swapnil Singh has made a bit of an impact with ball in hand in IPL 2024. The off-spinner’s ability to outsmart 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 aim to improve his wicket tally against PBKS come Thursday.
Karn Sharma
Karn Sharma is an important 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’s hard-hitting batters and will try to provide breakthroughs during the middle overs.
Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj will spearhead the pace bowling attack for RCB. While the Indian speedster has taken only eight wickets in 10 matches, he has been slightly expensive, conceding at an economy rate of 9.26. Siraj will hope to provide early breakthroughs with the new ball in the upcoming match.
Yash Dayal
Yash Dayal’s inclusion in RCB’s playing XI adds an element of anticipation and excitement to the team’s bowling lineup. With his versatile skills, Dayal has taken 10 wickets in as many matches. Known for his deceptive bowling variations, Dayal is the team’s top wicket-taker and is poised to have a significant impact on the game.
Impact sub
Vijaykumar Vyshak
