Kohli & Maxwell To Be Dismissed By Rabada; 5 Player Battles To Watch Out For In RCB vs PBKS

Virat Kohli could be challenged by Kagiso Rabada [AP]

On Monday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will lock horns with Punjab Kings in match 6 of the ongoing Indian Premier League season. Regarding RCB, the Faf du Plessis-led side lost the tournament opener against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings. Batting first, RCB posted a respectable 173-run total, which CSK chased easily with six wickets and eight balls to spare. 

On the contrary, Punjab Kings had an ideal start to the IPL 2024, prevailing over Delhi Capitals in their first game at Mullanpur. So, moving on to this game, the Kings must be keen to put up another impressive show and sustain their winning run. 

Meanwhile, there are several on-field contests which can determine the game's outcome. So, as RCB gear up to take on PBKS, let's see the top five player battles to watch out for. 

Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada

Hailed for his incredible consistency in the IPL, Virat Kohli had a disappointing start to the IPL 2024, managing a sloth-paced 20-ball 21 against CSK. In this encounter, the legendary batter could face a significant challenge from Kagiso Rabada, who has dismissed him thrice in T20s. 

Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada (in T20s)

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Shikhar Dhawan vs Glenn Maxwell

Shikhar Dhawan in action [AP]

Punjab Kings' captain Shikhar Dhawan looked sublime before veteran pacer Ishant Sharma castled him in the first game. In this clash, RCB might use their off-spinner Glenn Maxwell to counter Dhawan, as he has got the better of the stylish southpaw twice in T20s. 

Having said that, Dhawan also has a blistering strike rate against Maxwell, making it a worth-watching matchup. 

Shikhar Dhawan vs Glenn Maxwell (in T20s)

Glenn Maxwell vs Kagiso Rabada

Maxwell got our for a duck vs CSK [AP]

Swashbuckling batter Glenn Maxwell has played a pivotal role for RCB since joining the franchise in 2021. However, Punjab Kings could turn up to Rabada to dismiss the explosive batter, as he has impressive numbers against him. 

Glenn Maxwell vs Kagiso Rabada (in T20s)

Jonny Bairstow vs Mohammed Siraj

England's veteran batter Jonny Bairstow had a horrible start to his IPL campaign this year, as he was run out in the first game against Delhi Capitals. 

Bairstow, who would like to make a mark vs RCB, could be a threat to Mohammed Siraj, as he has hammered him at a blistering strike rate in the past. 

Jonny Bairstow vs Mohammed Siraj (in T20s)

Dinesh Karthik vs Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep is Punjab's premier death bowler [AP]

RCB's experienced batter Dinesh Karthik bailed them out of trouble against CSK, slamming a flamboyant 26-ball 38 with the help of three fours and two sixes. 

However, Punjab's slog-over specialist Arshdeep Singh could prevent him from accelerating in the death overs, having dismissed him thrice in T20s. 

Dinesh Karthik vs Arshdeep Singh (in T20s)

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