In the 63rd game of the Indian Premier League, the Royal Challengers Bangalore will travel to the scenic HPCA ground in Dharmasala to play the Kings XI Punjab. This is the penultimate game for the two sides.
Punjab v Bangalore odds:
Bangalore (4/7 at
Blue Square) are at the top of the points table with eight wins and 17 points while Punjab (6/4 at
bet365), who have 12 from 12 need to win both their remaining games to have a chance of going through to the playoffs. Bangalore, on the other hand, will look to win at least one out of the remaining two matches to finish amongst the top two sides in the points table, something that will help them a couple of shots at the final.
The last time the two sides met in this year’s tournament, a Chris Gayle-century had blown the side away.
Ground and Pitch:
This is the second game that will be played at Dharmsala this season and so far, it has shown itself to be a good cricket pitch – allows batsmen to play their strokes, the quick bowlers to get pace and bounce and the spinners to extract turn.
Player News:
Since the time Chris Gayle (2/1 at
Blue Square) has been in India for the IPL, Bangalore has yet to lose a game. In six of those games, Gayle has proved to be the difference between the two sides. The worry for the side will be a failure for Gayle and they will need to prove that they are much more than just a one-man army.
For that to happen, AB de Villiers (4/1 at
888Sport) and Saurabh Tiwary (8/1 at
bet365) will need more time at the crease. Tiwary, in particular, has been wasted away down the order and it will be no surprise if one sees him replace Luke Pomersbach (9/2 at
Blue Square) at the start of the innings.
Punjab’s biggest distress is Adam Gilchrist’s (7/2 at
888Sport) continuing failures, but what has been reassuring is that even without his contributions, the side has done reasonably well. Dinesh Karthik’s (5/1 at
BetFred) finding of his batting form and the presence of the redoubtable Shaun Marsh (10/3 at
BetFred) at the number three position has been the saving grace.
Punjab needs one other batsman to deliver; it was Paul Valthaty (7/2 at
Boylesports) in the previous game, but he is one of those who attempts to hit every ball out of the park. It may not be such a bad idea to have Gilchrist bat down the order for the side.
Prediction:
Bangalore will be favourites to win this game but given Punjab’s recent gritty performances, it could end up being a fun battle.