IPL 2024 PBKS vs RCB: Match 58 Toss Update, Dream11 Predictions, Fantasy Tips, Teams, Pitch Report & Top Picks
Punjab Kings to face RCB on May 9 (AP)
Evenly-matched Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to collide in match number 58 of the ongoing IPL 2024 season at Dharamshala’s HPCA Stadium. The much-awaited contest, also marking the 12th respective fixture for both sides this season, will be played on May 9 and the action will commence from 7:30 PM IST onwards.
Ahead of the game, here is a look at the Dream11 prediction, the fantasy tips, the pitch report, the top player picks and the best-predicted XIs for the fantasy contests of the match.
PBKS vs RCB Toss Update
Punjab Kings have won the toss and they have decided to field first.
Punjab Kings Changes: Liam Livingstone comes in for Rabada.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Changes: Lockie Ferguson comes in for Glenn Maxwell.
PBKS vs RCB Head-to-head Stats
Punjab Kings holds a slightly superior record over RCB in terms of head-to-head clashes. Across all their 32 meetings in IPL, the Punjab Kings franchise has secured 17 wins amidst 15 defeats over their RCB counterparts. However, the RCB unit managed to upstage Punjab Kings in their most-recent face-off earlier this season, where Virat Kohli’s 77 and Dinesh Karthik’s 10-ball 28* drove them home in Bengaluru on March 25.
As of now, the Punjab Kings franchise is positioned at number eight on the IPL 2024 points table, having registered just four wins from 11 league fixtures. In a bid to qualify for the playoffs, they need to win each of their remaining three games with emphatic margins.
While Faf du Plessis-led RCB group has also secured just four wins from 11 league matches, they are placed a rung above Punjab Kings owing to their superior net run-rate. Much like Punjab Kings, the RCB franchise also needs to register huge wins in their remaining games. The loser of the match will likely be eliminated from the IPL 2024 playoffs race.
| Stats | Matches | Punjab Kings Won | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 32 | 17 | 15 | 0 |
| IPL | 32 | 17 | 15 | 0 |
| HPCA Stadium | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL 2024 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
PBKS vs RCB Pitch Report
The HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala has hosted 12 IPL matches so far since March 2010. The playing surface at the venue has generally provided considerable bounce for fast bowlers, and has also assisted batters on several occasions. The average first innings total at the venue in IPL matches has emerged in the range of a high-scoring 179. However, the latest match played here earlier this week featured CSK scoring 167 upfront against Punjab Kings. Spinners from both camps dominated the proceedings as Rahul Chahar and Ravindra Jadeja both claimed impactful three-fers in the game.
HPCA Stadium Ground Stats (IPL 2024)
Matches: 1
Matches won batting first: 1
Matches won batting second: 0
Average first innings total: 167
Average second innings total: 139
Highest total recorded: 167/9 (20 overs) by Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings
Lowest total recorded: 139/9 (20 overs) by Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings
Fantasy value from the pitch report
Despite the general view of the playing conditions of Dharamshala’s HPCA Stadium, it were the spin bowlers who dominated the proceedings here during Punjab Kings’ home game against CSK earlier this week. While Rahul Chahar clattered CSK’s famed batting line-up with figures of 3-23, Ravindra Jadeja orchestrated a remarkable win for the ‘Yellow Brigade’ during Punjab Kings’ unsuccessful run-chase.
Considering the recent track record of the iconic Dharamshala venue, the captains from both groups will feel inclined to include at least two specialist spinners in their playing XI. Moreover, the two franchises will also be expected to inscribe their XI with a strong batting contingent owing to the high-scoring nature of the surface.
PBKS vs RCB Fantasy Cricket Tips
Punjab Kings Heavy Fantasy XI
- Punjab Kings’ ‘accidental buy’ Shashank Singh has emerged as their leading run-getter of the season. The 32-year-old is the only batter from the Punjab Kings setup to have tallied over 300 runs, doing so at a prolific average of 63. Shashank has also maintained an astonishing strike-rate of over 165 and his 28-ball 68* helped Punjab Kings gun down KKR’s 261-run total to record T20 cricket’s highest successful chase last month. In case of selecting a PBKS-heavy fantasy XI, it is imperative to select Shashank Singh for your team.
- Among the bowlers, senior pacer Harshal Patel has bagged 17 wickets in IPL 2024 from just 11 innings. As of now, Patel is the second-highest leading wicket-taker of the season and is just a wicket away from ‘Purple Cap’ holder Jasprit Bumrah. T20 World Cup bound Arshdeep Singh has also snared 15 wickets in 11 games, however, his economy rate of 10.06 continues to remain one of the primary concerns for Punjab Kings.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Heavy Fantasy XI
- All-time IPL great and RCB opener Virat Kohli has pounded 542 runs from just 11 IPL 2024 innings to hold the coveted ‘Orange Cap’. The cricketer has mounted five scores of fifty or more, and converted one of them into an imperial century earlier in the tournament. Kohli’s average of 67.75 also stands the tallest among all batters with more than 100 runs this season.
- In the bowling department, speedsters Yash Dayal and Mohammed Siraj have emerged as their leading wicket-takers. Glenn Maxwell, meanwhile, has accounted for the most dismissals from RCB’s spin arsenal.
PBKS vs RCB Winner Prediction
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru, under the spirited leadership of Faf du Plessis, will be considered as slight favorites over hosts Punjab Kings to win their upcoming duel at Dharamshala. The RCB franchise will be taking field at the venue on the backdrop of a newfound winning momentum, and they will also be emboldened by their earlier win over Punjab Kings this season. Moreover, Faf du Plessis and co. are currently occupying a slightly-superior place on the IPL 2024 points table.
PBKS vs RCB Top Player Picks
Shashank Singh (PBKS)
- IPL 2024 Stats: 315 runs in 11 matches
- Shashank Singh has notched up two 60-plus scores this IPL 2024 season, with both resulting in Punjab Kings’ successful 200-plus run-chases. His 29-ball 61* against Gujarat Titans helped Punjab Kings chase down 200 in a last-ball thriller, while his 28-ball 68* against KKR helped his team secure record win.
Harshal Patel (PBKS)
- IPL 2024 Stats: 17 wickets in 11 matches
- Harshal Patel has already snared three three-wicket hauls in IPL 2024 out of his season’s overall tally of 17 wickets. As of now, he is placed at number two on the ‘Purple Cap’ list among leading wicket-takers.
Dinesh Karthik (RCB)
- IPL 2024 Stats: 283 runs in 11 matches
- Dinesh Karthik has bashed 283 runs in 11 innings at an electrifying strike-rate of 193.83. He scored a match-winning 10-ball 28* against Punjab Kings earlier in the tournament, and clubbed a 35-ball 83 against SRH at Bengaluru on April 15.
Faf du Plessis (RCB)
- IPL 2024 Stats: 352 runs in 11 matches
- RCB captain Faf du Plessis has tallied 352 runs in 11 matches this season. Despite falling behind Virat Kohli in the overall run-scoring race, his strike-rate of 172.54 exceeds even that of his opening prolific opening partner.
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PBKS vs RCB Differential Picks
Jonny Bairstow celebrating his century against KKR (BCCI)
Jonny Bairstow (PBKS)
- IPL 2024 Stats: 257 runs in 9 matches
- Punjab Kings opener Jonny Bairstow has notched up 257 runs from nine innings at a staggering strike-rate of 163.69. The cricketer was responsible for unfurling one of the innings of the tournament, when he leathered KKR bowlers with a match-winning 48-ball 108* at Kolkata in late-April.
Will Jacks in action against Gujarat Titans (BCCI)
Will Jacks (RCB)
- IPL 2024 Stats: 177 runs in 6 matches
- Despite receiving limited opportunities in the RCB playing XI, Englishman Will Jacks has emerged as one of their impactful players of the season. The 25-year-old, in alliance with Virat Kohli, helped RCB overhaul Gujarat Titans’ 200-run total with ease. The cricketer himself smacked a 41-ball century in the game. Overall, he has plundered 177 runs at a strike-rate of over 186.
PBKS vs RCB Fantasy Expert Advice
Given the nature of the wicket and the form of the players, a 2-4-2-3 combination could work in this game.
PBKS vs RCB Fantasy Team for Head-to-Head/Small Leagues
Wicketkeeper: Dinesh Karthik, Jonny Bairstow
Batters: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Shashank Singh, Abhishek Sharma
All-rounders: Sam Curran, Cameron Green
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj
Captain: Virat Kohli
Vice-captain: Jonny Bairstow
PBKS vs RCB Fantasy Team for Winner Takes All/Grand Leagues
Wicketkeeper: Dinesh Karthik, Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh
Batters: Virat Kohli, Shashank Singh, Rajat Patidar
All-rounders: Sam Curran, Will Jacks
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Harpreet Brar, Yash Dayal
Captain: Will Jacks
Vice-captain: Shashank Singh
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