By Chirag - Apr 18, 2025 09:54 AM
IPL2025: Two in-form teams—Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS)—are set to clash in what promises to be a blockbuster Friday night encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Both sides come into this match with four wins from six games and are sitting neck-and-neck on the points table, with only net run rate separating them.
RCB are currently third, while PBKS sit fourth. RCB head into the game full of confidence after their nine-wicket thrashing of Rajasthan Royals, thanks to sensational performances from their top order. On the other hand, PBKS will take heart from their incredible 16-run win over KKR, defending a meager 111-run total on a tricky surface. With momentum and big match players on both sides, expect fireworks under the lights at Chinnaswamy.
Chinnaswamy is a batter's paradise, known for short boundaries, flat surface, and a lightning-fast outfield. Expect another high-scoring game, with 190+ being a par total. Spinners might get some grip as the match progresses, but pacers with variations can also be effective in the death overs.
It's predicted to be clear with no interruptions from rain. A pleasant evening with temperatures around 25°C, with humidity around 50–55%.
1.Virat Kohli, 2.Phil Salt (WK), 3.Devdutt Padikkal, 4.Rajat Patidar (C), 5.Liam Livingstone, 6.Jitesh Sharma (WK), 7.Tim David, 8.Krunal Pandya, 9.Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10.Josh Hazlewood, 11.Yash Dayal
Impact Players: 1.Suyash Sharma, 2.Rasikh Salam, 3.Manoj Bhandage, 4.Swapnil Singh, 5.Jacob Bethell
1.Prabhsimran Singh, 2.Priyansh Arya, 3.Shreyas Iyer (C), 4.Nehal Wadhera, 5.Josh Inglis (WK), 6.Glenn Maxwell, 7.Shashank Singh, 8.Marco Jansen, 9.Yuzvendra Chahal, 10.Arshdeep Singh, 11.Xavier Bartlett
Impact Players: 1.Suryansh Shedge, 2.Yash Thakur, 3.Vishnu Vinod, 4.Harpreet Brar, 5.Marcus Stoinis, 6.Pravin Dubey
Considering form, venue advantage, and momentum, RCB go into this clash as slight favorites. Their top order has been in peak form, and with Kohli and Salt firing, chasing or setting a target at Chinnaswamy plays to their strengths. However, PBKS's bowling unit, especially with Chahal and Jansen, has shown the ability to turn games on their head.
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