After nearly a week away from the cricket ground, Kings XI Punjab will be back in action on Thursday, October 15th when they play the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Both teams head into the game in contrasting form, with RCB on a two match winning streak, while Kings XI Punjab have been on the losing side for five straight games. 

Nevertheless, having rested well for the past few days, Anil Kumble’s side would be reinvigorated for this game, and will hope to turn the side in the second half of the 2020 Dream11 Indian Premier League group stages. 

Aamne Saamne

Kings XI Punjab have a marginally better head-to-head record against Royal Challengers Bangalore, and were also on the victorious side when the two sides met in IPL 2020. Virat Kohli’s side however head into this contest in good form, with wins in their past two games and consistency in selection. One can expect a close contest at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium therefore given their past track record. 

Batting de Baadshah

RCB Virat Kohli has been picking form since the past couple of games, with scores of 90 and 33 not out in those matches. Kohli was dismissed cheaply while KXIP played RCB a few weeks back, and would be hoping to make amends and get a big score under his belt this time around. He will be well supported by the likes of AB De Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal and Shivam Dube- all of whom would relish the prospect of playing on Sharjah’s small ground. 

For KXIP, KL Rahul has been their most consistent performer, with three fifties and a century so far. He got the highest score for an Indian batsman in the IPL when he played RCB last time around, and would once again hope to lead from the front and give his side that much needed win. 

Bowling de Kings

Yuzvendra Chahal has been the lynchpin for Royal Challengers Bangalore, with his economical bowling in the middle overs putting the opposition under pressure and forcing them into mistakes. Despite playing a few games at smaller stadiums, Chahal has managed to remain stingy this season, and will pose a significant threat to the KXIP bowlers. 

Mohammed Shami continues to be the spearhead for Kings XI Punjab, having recently got to 50 IPL wickets. The pacer performed well against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, and with KXIP’s death bowling improving, Shami would be optimistic of a good day’s cricket on Thursday against Bangalore. 

Mudde di Baat

With just one win so far in their first seven matches, this game is more important for Kings XI Punjab. Anil Kumble’s side need a win to reignite their chances of making it to the semifinals, as every game from here on will be a virtual must win to guarantee qualification. Royal Challengers Bangalore are in third place currently with 10 points, and if they get another win it will only strengthen their claim for a top four finish.

Yaad Rakhiyo

• Chris Gayle averages 70 against Royal Challengers Bangalore as a KXIP player.
• Arshdeep Singh and Sheldon Cottrell both have bowled maiden overs in IPL 2020 for KXIP.
• Since 2018, AB De Villiers has been dismissed most times by a leg spinner. 

Probable XI

KL Rahul (c and wk), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Deepak Hooda, Jimmy Neesham, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Sheldon Cottrell, Arshdeep Singh. 

Chris Gayle and Sheldon Cottrell are both back to full fitness, and could make a return to the side with Glenn Maxwell and Chris Jordan missing out. On the bowling front, the KXIP management could go seam heavy owing to the small boundaries and lack of turn at Sharjah. 

NOTE: The aforementioned line-up is an educated guess at best, and the final decision rests with the captain and the team management depending on various external factors.