IPL 2024: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Best Bets

Two teams that have had underwhelming campaigns square off in Match 58 of IPL 2024 as Punjab Kings play host to Royal Challengers Bangalore at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. RCB have won the last two H2H matches, while Punjab are on a slump and have lost five of their last seven games. We’ve prepared the best bets for this encounter.

Venue: HPCA Stadium

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Even if the Punjab Kings win their next three matches, they’re unlikely to make the playoffs, with an 8/6 record typically needed to break into the top four, a threshold shaped by previous seasons and current standings. Their batting woes, with an average score of only 177 runs per inning, below the league’s 185 after 56 matches, have left them with just four wins so far.

Their recent match against Chennai highlighted their struggles; after holding Chennai to 168, the Kings fell apart from 62/2 to 90/8, barely finishing their 20 overs and ultimately losing by 28 runs. This wasn’t an isolated incident; similar collapses have marred their season, including a dismal drop from 52/0 to 99/7 against Gujarat.

RCB, also out of playoff contention, have found late-season form. After only one win in their first eight games, they’ve clinched three straights, including looking for a third successive win against Punjab, who have struggled in Dharamshala, losing all three matches there since 2023.

RCB’s recent performances have been robust, with scores over 195 in five of their last six games, and a recent comfortable chase of 148 against Gujarat Titans. Will Jacks, a top-order hitter, has shown erratic form, alternating between low scores and high knocks, including a century and a fifty in recent outings.

RCB are the form side going into this game and will be looking to end the season on a high. Back them to win this game against a Punjab Kings team that struggles in Dharamshala.

Prediction: Royal Challengers to win at 1.68.

Key battle: Former RCB skipper Virat Kohli has a whopping 938 runs in H2H matches and comes into this fixture with a season average of 67.65. He has dominated Punjab skipper Sam Curran and has smashed him for 2/70 from 46 balls faced in the IPL.

Key Stats

Punjab struck the most sixes in each of their last five matches. 

RCB recorded the highest opening partnership in each of their last three matches.

Harshal Patel has head-to-head figures of 2/68 from 38 balls against Virat Kohli.

Jitesh Sharma was dismissed for zero in two of his three IPL innings in Dharamshala since 2023.

Mohammed Siraj was smashed around by Jonny Bairstow, conceding 54 runs from 4.1 overs at an average of 54.00.

Harpreet Brar has never dismissed Faf du Plessis, going for 79 runs from 46 balls.

Kagiso Rabada has collective figures of 2/100 from ten IPL overs bowled in Dharamsala since the start of 2023.

Best Bets

Best Bet: Highest individual score to be under 71.5 at 1.86.

Alternative Bet: Virat Kohli to score over 29.9 runs at 1.86.

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