Two teams that have had a very different experience in IPL 2021 are about to play against each other. Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2021 is a match between one of the worst-performing teams of the league against one of the best ones. Easy to call, right? We have seen a number of upsets in the IPL already. In fact, it can be argued that just picking the underdog is the right option because it happens so much. We think there is a case to be made for the Punjab Kings in this match as well. The match is going to be played in Ahmedabad, a venue that has been quite balanced in terms of the conditions it has offered the teams.
Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2021
Teams’ strengths & weaknesses
Punjab Kings have a very strong top-order and there is no doubt about its six-hitting abilities either. The problem has been consistency. The team seems to go past 200 or struggles to reach 130. The consistency that everyone is hoping for from the Punjab Kings is nowhere to be seen. Also, there is a lot of bench strength in the team but the Punjab Kings are reluctant of making the changes. A lack of conviction from the team management in setting the strategy and being bold with the selections has to be the biggest weakness.
Bangalore has been brilliant in IPL 2021. Its biggest strength is its batting brilliance. Just one of its batsmen needs to fire for it to be able to win a match. The overseas contingent that Bangalore has is performing very well and is living up to the expectations so far. The weakness has to be some inexperience in the middle-order when it comes to the Indian batting options. The team has tried a number of different options but not been able to figure out which one is its best one so far.
Players in form
KL Rahul is the leading scorer for the Punjab Kings this season and even though his strike rate is not where it should be, there is no denying that he is in good form. Deepak Hooda is another player that is contributing with both bat and ball. He may have had a quiet couple of matches but his form is quite good as well.
AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell are brilliant in the middle overs for RCB. They are both in good form and playing the kind of match-changing innings that is expected from them. They have the ability to smash sixes, attack the spinners, and wrest momentum at any stage of the match. Kyle Jamieson has also been bowling quite well and should be considered to be an in-form player.
Match conditions
The conditions in Ahmedabad have been batting friendly but the teams have not really made use of them. A high-scoring match with plenty of sixes is something that could very well be the order of the day if a couple of players get going.
Game statistics
- There have been 26 matches played between these two teams with 14 wins for the Punjab Kings and 12 for Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Punjab Kings won both matches against Bangalore in the previous edition but had lost the four matches before that
- KL Raul's score of 132 not out is the highest individual score recorded in matches between these two teams
Predictions
It is easy to count out Punjab Kings but keep in mind that it defeated the mighty Mumbai Indians. Bangalore is strong but not invincible and the time for a Gayle-storm or a KL Rahul special could be now. Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2021 could end up being very profitable for people able to take risks.
Winner: Punjab Kings (2.05)
