Royal Challengers Bangalore booked their berth in playoffs after beating Punjab Kings by 6 runs in a close encounter. Kohli-led RCB registered their third consecutive victory after horrific start in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. On the other hand Punjab Kings became the second team to getting out of the playoffs race.

After winning the toss RCB captain Virat Kohli opted to bat first. Kohli (25) and Devdutt Paddikal (40) got the team to a brisk start, adding 55 runs in the first six overs. However, Henriques staged the Punjab Kings comeback when he dismissed RCB’s top order. The Australian all-rounder took back-to-back wickets as he dismissed Kohli and Dan Christian and then came back to remove Padikkal in the 12th over. Glenn Maxwell and AB de-Villiers added 74 runs for 4^th wicket which proved to be crucial for the team. Bangalore posted 164-7 in 20 overs. Mohammed Shami and Moises Henriques scalped three wickets each.

Maxwell smashed his fourth fifty of the season and continued to make this season a special one for himself.

Read Also: IPL 2021: Updated standings and qualifying scenarios for Mumbai Indians

Chasing the target of 165, Punjab responded strongly as they put 90-0 in 10 overs with KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal on the crease. But as soon as Rahul departed, the whole batting order of Punjab collapsed. Mayank Agarwal scored a gutsy 57 runs for PBKS. Apart from Rahul and Agarwal no other batsmen stood-up for Punjab and lost the match by 6 runs. With the ball Chahal was the star as he took three important wickets for his side. Shahbaz Ahmed and Harshal Patel also chipped in with a wicket each.

Punjab became the second team after Sunrisers Hyderabad to knocked out of the playoffs race.

The post RCB vs PBKS: Bangalore beat Punjab to qualify for the playoffs appeared first on APN News.

Royal Challengers Bangalore will be looking to secure their playoffs berth, when they face Punjab Kings in an after-noon clash with Punjab Kings. KL Rahul-led Punjab Kings have won three consecutive matches in their previous meetings with Kohli’s men. However, circumstances are different now, Bangalore need just one win to qualify for playoffs, while Punjab must win this game to be in the playoffs race.

Royals Challengers Bangalore

Ever since the UAE leg of IPL began RCB have changed their playing XI in every match they have played and somehow it has been working for Kohli and co. Only concern they have is the form of AB de-Villiers. With Glenn Maxwell, skipper Virat Kohli and newbie Srikar Bharat, their batting as good as it can be, while bowling attack led by Harshal Patel and Yuzi Chahal, they have got nothing to worry about.

Predicted XI RCB: Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, KS Bharat (wk), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dan Christian, George Garton, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Punjab Kings

Since the departure of Caribbean hitter Chris Gayle, Punjab have a lot o think about their batting. The opening pair of PBKS, KL Rahul and  Mayank Agarwal have been consistent to their role, but its the middle order that has been hurting them in almost every amtch. However, Punjab will count on young Shahrukh Khan, who won them their previous match against KKR.

Predicted XI PBKS: KL Rahul (c&wk), Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Adil Rashid, Nathan Ellis, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh

Read Also: KKR vs SRH Preview: Kolkata look to stay in playoffs race as they face Hyderabad

Players to watch-out for

Yuzvendra Chahal and Shahrukh Khan

Head-to-head

Punjab has the edge over RCB in head-to-head, as PBKS have won 15 times in 27 matches played between them. Punjab have the advantage of beating Bangalore in their previous meetings.

The match will take place at Sharjah Cricket Stadium at 03:30 pm on IST.

The post RCB vs PBKS Preview: Bangalore eye a playoffs berth against Punjab appeared first on APN News.