Indian Premier League 2019 Match 28, Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Kings XI Punjab will host Royal Challengers Bangalore for Match 27 of IPL 2019 at Mohali. Punjab have done well in the tournament. While Chennai Super Kings have taken a substantial lead over others, Punjab has been a more or less steady presence in the top four.

With Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, and David Miller in the top three, Sam Curran in excellent form, and R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami being persistent threats with ball, Punjab are a formidable unit.

Bangalore, on the other hand, have lost all 6 of their matches, thus equalling Delhi’s record winless streak at the start of any edition of the IPL. Worse, they have not even competed in some of these.

Bangalore have had individual stars. Virat Kohli has crossed the 200-mark, and AB de Villiers and Parthiv Patel have impressed as well. Unfortunately, barring Yuzvendra Chahal, the bowling has looked really feeble, though Pawan Negi has impressed at times.

Head to head

Punjab hold a 12-10 advantage over Bangalore despite the latter winning both matches in 2018. Punjab were bowled out for 155 at Bengaluru despite KL Rahul’s 30-ball 47. Umesh Yadav took 3/23 and Washington Sundar 2/22. Bangalore won with 3 balls to spare thanks to Quinton de Kock (45 in 34) and de Villiers (57 in 40).

Umesh (3/23) shot out Punjab for 88 at Indore. Kohli and Parthiv ensured a 10-wicket win in the 9th over.

Key players

Mohammed Shami (Kings XI Punjab): Shami has been quick, accurate, has been brilliant in both the Powerplay and at the death, and has picked up crucial wickets from time to time. Only Kagiso Rabada and Deepak Chahar have more wickets in IPL 2019 than his tally of 9.

Moeen Ali (Royal Challengers Bangalore): Not getting the most out of Moeen has been one of Bangalore’s many errors in the tournament. Of his teammates, only Chahal has a better economy rate than his 7.46, and yet Moeen has bowled just 13 overs in 6 matches. And despite his strike rate of 142 (only de Villiers has done better), he has faced just 52 balls in the tournament.

Likely XIs

Kings XI Punjab: Chris Gayle, KL Rahul (wk), David Miller, Karun Nair, Sam Curran, Mandeep Singh, Sarfraz Khan, Hardus Viljoen, R Ashwin (c), Mohammed Shami, Ankit Rajpoot.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Parthiv Patel (wk), Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers, Marcus Stoinis, Moeen Ali, Akshdeep Nath (wk), Pawan Negi, Tim Southee, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini.

Prediction

Punjab to win comfortably.