IPL 2017 Preview Match 8: Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Kings XI Punjab will look to build on their winning start when they play at their second home ground in Indore on Monday. A tough challenge in the form of Royal Challengers Bangalore who appear confident after their win over Delhi Daredevils in a cracker. Punjab hold the edge on head-to-head.
Punjab look confident after the win over Pune in their opening game. The victory was inspired by a fine knock by skipper Glenn Maxwell, who was ably supported by David Miller. The Punjab bowling unit efficiently dismantled Rising Pune Supergiant's lineup.
However, Punjab's batting raised some concerns when the top-order failed to click and the team was reduced to 85/4 before Maxwell and Miller put together a match-winning partnership. Punjab are expected to make changes at the top of the order.
RCB eked out a win over Delhi Daredevils after scoring a modest 157. Injury-hit RCB began their campaign without Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers and the injured star duo appear unlikely to figure against Punjab. RCB rode on Kedar Jadhav's explosive 69 and Yuzvendra Chahal's tight bowling in the win against Delhi. The lack of form of Chris Gayle and Shane Watson is a cause for concern to the team.
Head to Head
The teams have met 18 times since the tournament's inception. Punjab hold a slight edge, having won 10 to RCB's 8.
Previous Meeting
The teams last met in Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium. A rain affected game that was reduced to 15 overs a side. RCB ran up 211 on the back of a 147-run opening-wicket stand between Kohli (113) and Gayle (73) and eventually won by 82 runs (D/L).
Predicted Playing XI
Kings XI Punjab: Manan Vohra, Glenn Maxwell (C), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Hashim Amla, Shaun Marsh, David Miller, Gurkeerat Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, T Natarajan.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Chris Gayle, Shane Watson (C), Kedar Jadhav (wk), Sachin Baby, Stuart Binny, Mandeep Singh, Travis Head, Pawan Negi, Yuzvendra Chahal, Tymal Mills, Aniket Choudhary.
Key Players
Glenn Maxwell (KXIP): The skipper struck form as he hit an unbeaten 44 off just 20 balls and forged a match-winning stand with David Miller against Pune. The explosive batsman is a key player and crucial to the side both while chasing or setting up a total.
Kedar Jadhav (RCB): With Kohli and de Villiers yet to recover from injuries, and Gayle and Watson struggling for form, their side relies on Jadhav's clean striking as was seen during the win against Delhi. He was also among the runs in the tournament opener against Sunrisers.
Venue: Holkar Stadium, Indore.
Timing: 8 pm IST
TV Listings(India): Sony Six HD, Sony Six, Set Max, Sony ESPN
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