IPL 2021 Match 26: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – Betting Preview

IPL 2021: Punjab Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore – Preview, Prediction, Probable Playing XIs and Value Bets.

Match Details
Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Friday, April 30th, 2021
16:00 SA Time

Betting Preview

The 26th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will take place between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Ahmedabad. These two teams have faced each other 26 times, with PBKS having a slight edge with 14 wins compared RCB’s 12. In the 2020 edition of the IPL, PBKS beat RCB in both the matches. However, RCB are on a terrific run this season and are clear favourites.

Punjab Kings, much like other teams in the bottom half of the points table, have struggled to find any momentum. In the six games so far, PBKS have lost 4 and have only won two games. Not finding the right balance in the playing XI has been one of the biggest reasons for their current predicament. The batting of PBKS has been below expectations due to the form of Nicholas Pooran and KL Rahul’s slow scoring rate. Bowlers, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi have done a good job but they need some support. Lower middle order is also an issue for them and they might want to bring in Fabian Allen to provide the firepower.

Royal Challengers Bangalore are on a roll with five wins out of six games. RCB’s four-match winning streak was broken by a CSK thrashing but RCB quickly bounced back with a thrilling 1-run victory against DC. AB de Villiers has been in magnificent form in the season with 204 runs at a strike rate of 174.4. He has given RCB the security at the back end of an innings. In the bowling department, Mohammed Siraj has done exceedingly well with the new ball and even at the death overs. Harshal Patel continues to pick wickets in a bunch. Spin department could be a slight concern for the Royal Challengers.

Injury and Availability News

Punjab Kings will have all their players available for the selection and might bring Fabian Allen back. Royal Challengers Bangalore have lost their two players as Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have flown back home due to personal reasons. Scott Kuggeleijn has joined RCB as a replacement player.

Probable Playing XI

Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings: KL Rahul (c/wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Fabian Allen, Chris Jordan, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers (wk), Daniel Sams, Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Pitch and Conditions

The Motera stadium is a tricky venue, where there’s something for everyone, be it pacers, spinners or batters. The first two matches at this venue in IPL 2021 were very contrasting with one low-scoring while another turned out to be a high-scoring. The average first innings score in 25 T20 matches at this venue is 165.

Key Players to Watch Out For

Chris Gayle: The Caribbean powerhouse is a legend of the game and arguably the greatest T20 batter. Chris Gayle has produced three outstanding seasons in last 3 IPL events with an average of 40+ and strike-rate of 140+. However, he’s having an underwhelming season so far with 119 runs at 24 average and 119 strike rate. Playing against his former team, Gayle could unleash his wrath.

Ravi Bishnoi: The young Indian leg-spinner impressed the cricket world with his outstanding performance in the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he was the leading wicket-taker with 17 dismissals to his name. Bishnoi backed it up with an impressive IPL season in 2020 with 12 wickets at an economy of 7.37. After missing the first few games for PBKS this year, Bishnoi has done well in the two matches.

AB de Villiers: The genius makes your jaw drop with sheer skill and class even at the age of 37. AB de Villiers has put on such a display of mind-blowing batsmanship that you wouldn’t believe he hasn’t played for five months prior to the tournament. He has scored 204 runs at an average of 68 and has struck at 174.4. AB de Villiers has become the only player in IPL to complete 5000 runs at a strike rate of over 150.

Harshal Patel: The Haryana right-arm seamer has taken everyone by surprise in IPL 2021. Harshal Patel has taken 17 wickets in 6 matches so far at an average of only 11.9 and a wicket every 8.4 deliveries. Patel has been RCB’s designated death overs bowler and has changed the matches on its head by taking wickets consistently. He will be looking to bounce after taking a beating at the hands of Ravindra Jadeja.

What Bets To Take

Punjab Kings

KL Rahul to be PBKS’s top batsman at 3.00.

Mohammad Shami to be PBKS’s top bowler at 3.25.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli to be RCB’s top batsman at 3.25.

Harshal Patel to be RCB’s top bowler at 3.75.