Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar marked his return to fitness by opting to bowl first after winning the toss in the crucial playoff match against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Josh Hazlewood was back in the RCB line-up, boosting their bowling attack, though Tim David remained sidelined with a hamstring injury from their penultimate league fixture.
For Punjab Kings, the absence of Yuzvendra Chahal continued to be felt, compounded by Marco Jansen’s departure to fulfil duties with the South African Test squad. Azmatullah Omarzai stepped in to fill the gap left by Jansen. Throughout the league stage, PBKS found their home ground in New Chandigarh less than hospitable, managing only two wins from their four matches. Their captain, Shreyas Iyer, particularly struggled at home, scoring just 25 runs in total across those games.
Significantly, this is RCB’s first top-two finish since 2016, while PBKS are relishing a playoff spot for the first time in 11 years. Both teams are in pursuit of their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title, and although losing this match won’t eliminate a team, it does heighten the pressure with a second chance on the line for the final spot.
RCB’s impressive away record, winning all seven of their league matches on foreign turf, adds an intriguing layer to this encounter. As Tom Moody aptly noted, “Two in-form teams, we’re in for an absolute cracker.”
The teams enter the playoffs with identical point totals, PBKS edging ahead only by virtue of a superior net run rate. Both squads are equipped and eager, with PBKS featuring a top order spearheaded by Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, while RCB’s line-up remains strong with the likes of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt at the crease.
It promises to be an exciting clash, with both sides motivated to make a mark and advance to the final.
