Royal Challengers Bengaluru return home to face Punjab Kings in their second IPL 2024 match on Monday after losing the season opener to Chennai Super Kings away from home on Friday. RCB have struggled to find consistent success at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which has been a tough hunting ground for their bowlers over the years. If early signs are anything to go by, the Bengaluru bowling attack might continue to struggle at home.
While they have one of the most passionate home crowds, RCB haven’t really translated that into success at home, winning 40 and losing as many over the years at the iconic venue. Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s bowling weakness was exposed early as Chennai Super Kings gunned down 174 in just 18.4 overs. | IPL 2024 Full Coverage |
Their best bowler, Mohammed Siraj, looked out of sorts in the IPL 2024 opener while their big-money signing Alzarri Joseph was taken to the cleaners by the Super Kings. Yash Dayal, whom they bought from Gujarat Titans, looked their most impressive bowler along with all-rounder Cameron Green, who chipped in with 2 wickets.
CAN RCB BOWLERS STEP UP?
Despite using 7 bowlers, RCB were found wanting with the ball against CSK and they need to improve, and improve quickly, if they are to stop Punjab Kings, who have travelled South after having beaten Delhi Capitals at home in an impressive manner in their opening match. RCB fans will turn out in huge numbers on the day of Holi, the festival of colours, and they would want to see their team open their account in IPL 2024. | Points Table – IPL 2024 |
While RCB will want Siraj and Yash to step up and deliver, they might look at replacing Alzarri, who might not be well-suited to the conditions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which has short boundaries. Express pacers have not had a lot of success in Bengaluru and thus, Lockie Ferguson, the New Zealand pacer, might have to wait for his chance. Left-arm pacer Reece Topley or Tom Curran might be a good option. RCB also have the likes of Akash Deep and Vijaykumar Vyshak on the bench to add to their pace firepower.
On the other hand, RCB would also want the likes of Virt Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Rajat Patidar to do better after their ordinary outings against CSK.
RCB can also think of using England’s big-hitting Will Jacks at the top and use him as an extra bowling option too.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings will look to make it 2 in 2 and prove their naysayers wrong once again. They look a settled unit after having rode on Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone’s firepower in their opener against the Delhi Capitals.
All eyes will be on Harshal Patel, who returns to Bengaluru, a venue where he had seen several ups and downs over the last few years. Punjab Kings have a better bowling attack with the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada and Rahul Chahar leading the charge.
PITCH AND CONDITIONS IN BENGALURU, RCB VS PBKS
Known as a six-hitting ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is expected to offer a belter for batters. The first leg of Women’s Premier League earlier this month was played here and thus the pitch might be on the slower side to start with. But, the batters are expected to enjoy the outings.
The Bengaluru weather is expected to be clear throughout the match.
RCB vs PBKS, PREDICTED XIs
RCB: Faf du Plessis (Captain), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Anuj Rawat (wk), Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik, Mayank Dagar, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Tom Curran. Impact Sub: Yash Dayal.
PBKS: Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar. Impact Sub: Arshdeep Singh.
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