IPL 2024, RCB vs PBKS: Bengaluru Opt To Bowl, Both Teams Field Unchanged XIs

Bengaluru: After a disappointing defeat against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gear up for their first home game of the 2024 IPL season against the in-form Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Monday. While the Chinnaswamy Stadium holds a special place for RCB as their home ground, a true fortress it hasn’t been.

The high-scoring nature of the Chinnaswamy pitch, known for its flat surface, seems tailor-made for PBKS’s batting firepower. Coming off a convincing win against the Delhi Capitals, where their lineup looked in great touch, PBKS will be brimming with confidence.

However, RCB’s bowling attack shouldn’t be underestimated. While CSK’s Mustafizur Rahman exposed chinks in their armour with his off-cutters, the lack of grip on the Chinnaswamy pitch, especially under lights, could negate the threat of PBKS’s left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, who possesses similar bowling variations.

A bright spark for RCB in their opening loss was youngster Anuj Rawat’s knock of 48 off 25 balls. Consistent contributions from him could be the key to solving their death-overs woes, a concern that plagued them last season. RCB might consider replacing Alzarri Joseph with Reece Topley for this match, while PBKS is likely to stick with their winning combination.

With the highest scoring rate (9.42 runs per over) since 2018 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, expect another high-scoring encounter on Monday. The pleasant weather conditions, with temperatures around 28°C and no dew expected, will further favour a run-fest.

Playing XIs

Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan(c), Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma(w), Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar

Subs: Arshdeep Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Tanay Thyagarajan, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Faf du Plessis(c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat(w), Karn Sharma, Alzarri Joseph, Mayank Dagar, Mohammed Siraj

Subs: Suyash Prabhudessai, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Swapnil Singh