IPL 2022: RCB vs PBKS Preview – Race to the playoffs heats up

The strong-looking Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will take on the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their next group stage encounter of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. The match will be played at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on May 13 (Friday).

Both teams are coming to the contest after having contrasting results. While the Red Army managed to beat the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by a big margin of 67 runs, the Kings from Punjab lost their encounter against Rajasthan Royals by a six-wicket margin.

Both teams have already met once in the tournament, where PBKS emerged victorious. However, a lot of things have changed since that contest and it will be PBKS who will have their task cut out against RCB.

Talking about the standings in the points table, the Red Army is currently placed four in the table with seven wins in 12 matches while PBKS is languishing in the 8th spot after just five wins in 11 matches.

Here’s the predicted playing XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings:

Royal Challengers Bangalore

After winning their previous contest by a comfortable margin of 67 runs, the Red Army will want to stick with the same playing XI they fielded against SRH. 

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood

Punjab Kings

For PBKS, the poor form of skipper Mayank Agarwal has been a concern. South African pacer Kagiso Rabada also bowled poorly in the previous match. However, the Kings will want to continue with the same combination at least for one more match instead of making too many changes at such crucial time.

Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma