Match 31 will feature a potential high-scoring run-fest as Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Kings XI Punjab.
Both the teams are at polar-opposites as per their respective campaigns are concerned. RCB is having its best season ever as they have won five out of their seven matches. KXIP, on the other hand, have won only one of their seven matches. Therefore, every game from now on would be do-or-die for them.
RCB is coming off the clinical domination of Kolkata Knight Riders as they defeated them by 82 runs. KXIP is coming off a disappointing loss against KKR by only 2 runs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB has been doing everything right this season. They have been learning from their mistakes and have been effectively doing changes to rectify them. Their inning was started off by the reliable pair of Aaron Finch and Devdutt Padikkal who scored 47 and 32 runs respectively. However, the star of the show was AB de Villiers who scored a destructive 73 runs off 33 balls.
RCB may have rectified their biggest mistake as well, their pace bowling. The additions of Chris Morris, Isuru Udana, and Mohammed Siraj has given fruitful results. Navdeep Saini and Yuzvendra Chahal quietly continue to do their job.
Kings XI Punjab
‘Disappointment’ would be an understatement for KXIP’s campaign this year. They have been putting good individual performances, however, have been unable to put forward a collective solid effort. Therefore, despite having the orange cap holder and second-highest run-scorer of the tournament, they continue to be at the last on the points table.
Their middle-order will have to hold the inning together. Glenn Maxwell, in particular, will have to pull up his socks and perform the way he’s known to perform.
Fantasy XI League
KL RAHUL (11) (C) – Rahul has been extremely consistent in this IPL. He has been a run machine and will be our captain.
AB DE VILLIERS (10) (VC) – AB de Villiers has been fairly consistent with this IPL. He’s coming off a phenomenal 73 off just 33 balls.
VIRAT KOHLI (10.5) – Kohli is back in form and that’s bad news for bowlers! He’s always an inning away from gaining confidence.
MAYANK AGARWAL (9.5) – Agarwal is probably in the best purple patch of his life.
DEVDUTT PADIKKAL (8.5) – Youngster Padikkal has impressed everyone with his batting this year. He has been extremely consistent.
MANDEEP SINGH (8) – Mandeep Singh has shown some potential. He’s IPL tested and can prove to be handy.
CHRIS MORRIS (9) – Morris has proved why he’s the most expensive foreign buy of IPL 2020. He has taken 5 wickets in two matches so far and can bat as well.
YUZVENDRA CHAHAL (9) – Chahal has developed into a phenomenal and intelligent limited over spinner.
RAVI BISNOI (8.5) – Bishnoi impressed everyone with his dynamic leg-spin. He has always been in the wickets for KXIP.
ARSHDEEP SINGH (8) – Just like other Indian fast bowlers like T. Natarajan and Kartik Tyagi, Arshdeep Singh has been a breath of fresh air this IPL.
MOHAMMED SIRAJ (8) – Siraj has impressed in the opportunities he got so far. He can bowl yorkers almost at will.
PREDICTION
KXIP is a team that will fight back. They have great memories as last time KXIP took on RCB, KL Rahul scored a brilliant 132 off just 69 balls as they won by 97 runs. KXIP would badly want to replicate that success.
That being said, RCB has been extremely consistent with this IPL. They have been great in all three departments and they’re coming off a win at the same venue of Sharjah. RCB will therefore defeat KXIP.
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