RCB vs PBKS Match Preview
We expect RCB to bat a lot better in this match then they showed in the previous match. Picking Du Plessis, Maxwell, and Green is a no-brainer because of the destruction they can cause on a small ground like the Chinnaswamy. Whether you want to add Kohli into the mix is another question. There is no doubt that Kohli is very consistent but he has been out of cricket for a long time and looked rusty in the previous match. We are going to skip picking the Indian legend for this match.
Maxwell and Green could also contribute with the bat.
Among the bowlers, the left-arm spin of Mayank Dagar looked promising and may be a useful differentiator to have in your fantasy lineups.
For PBKS, Shikhar Dhawan (similar to Kohli in a lot of ways for fantasy purposes), Liam Livingstone, and Sam Curran are players to pick. We also think Jonny Bairstow could be a dasher at the top in this match. Their bowling options are not the greatest but Arshdeep does seem to have the knack of picking up wickets. Rahul Chahar is not a bad underrated option as well.
Weather Report
There is no rain predicted. The temperatures will be mild and around 24-30 degrees celcius.
Pitch Report
We think the pitch should be very good for batting with a nice amount of pace and carry. The average first-inning score at the Chinnaswamy Stadium has been 181 but a winning first inning total is 198.
There have also been 20 sixes hit on average in the previous ten matches at the venue.
Notable stats
Powerplay Woes for RCB
RCB went at over 10 runs an over in the powerplay against CSK. They will be under pressure to do better against the Punjab Kings, another team that scores heavily in the powerplay.
Team News
There is a slight cloud on the availability of Anuj Rawat after he got struck in the previous match but reports suggest he should be available for selection.
RCB vs PBKS Probable 11
RCB Playing 11
- Faf du Plessis (C)
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar
- Glenn Maxwell
- Cameron Greeen
- Anuj Rawat (Wk)
- Dinesh Karthik
- Mayank Dagar
- Alzarri Joseph
- Karn Sharma
- Mohammad Siraj
PBKS Playing 11
- Shikhar Dhawan (C)
- Jonny Bairstow
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Sam Curran
- Jitesh Sharma (Wk)
- Liam Livingstone
- Shashank Singh
- Harpreet Brar
- Harshal Patel
- Kagiso Rabada
- Arshdeep Singh
Dream11 Prediction
We think RCB has a great chance of getting its first win of IPL 2024 in front of its home crowd. They have a deeper batting lineup with some world-class all-rounders. The balance of the team is better and we expect them to improve their performance from the opening match.
Top Picks
Cameron Green: An excellent middle-order six-hitter as well as someone that will bowl in most matches. Cameron Green is also a good choice for Captain in this match.
Shikhar Dhawan: There was a real fluency in Dhawan's batting in the previous match. He struck the ball cleanly and ricketed along. He could have a big score around the corner.
Glenn Maxwell: It is normall hit or miss with Maxwell but his performances in the last one year or so have propelled him as among the top tier of white ball batters. Worth sticking with.
RCB vs PBKS Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: J Sharma
Batters: S Dhawan, F du Plessis (VC), J Bairstow
All-rounders: G Maxwell, L Livingstone, S Curran, C Green (C)
Bowlers: H Patel, M Dagar, A Joseph
