With six defeats from equal number of games, Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore will face the Kings XI from Punjab at the iconic ground of IPS Bindra for 1st time in the 28th match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019. Inconsistent bowling and ordinary batting has been the major roadblock for RCB success in the competition. With a win being the only seemingly solution available for the hosts to reverse their fortunes in the competition, the Reds look to introspect and chalk out suitable plans to earn their first points in the league. 4 matches scheduled at the iconic stadium of M. Chinnaswamy, a turn-around seems very much possible for the Challengers. Led by the Indian Test offie, Ravichandran Ashwin holds flawless record of dominance at home, winning 3 out of equal number of matches scheduled at the PCA Stadium at Mohali. Though RCB were able to take their previous 3 encounters down to the wire, the team needs to fine tune the climax of the game to change the fortunes and drag the result towards their side.
RCB, having won 3 out their 6 outings against the home team at Punjab will be fancying their chances at the slow pitch, making few changes in their bowling department with Umesh Yadav and Tim Southee making way for instead of Akshdeep Nath and Colin De Grandhomme. The biggest tactic and ace of success for RCB will be to tackle the opening pair of KL Rahul-Gayle in either situations of defending or chasing as the Punjab duo stands the ability to turn the fortunes of the game in no succession. Though the introduction of South African pace, Dale Steyn in the RCB camp fasten the chances for Kohli army, the latter aim to win back-to-back matches before the tall pacer joins the squad scheduled from April 16 as per his availability.
With coach Mike Hesson optimistic about Gayle to feature in the playing XI, the duo of Rahul-Gayle will aim to add more cushion runs than usual to the total after the match narrowly slipped away against Mumbai Indians despite setting a target of 198.
Though the match seems to be a cakewalk for Kings XI Punjab considering the statistical figures and the recent form of the opposition, the fact that Kohli led Bangalore face Punjab for first time in the competition makes the clash an even and unpredictable.
