This article will talk about the probable XIs for both teams, Dream11 predictions, and the winning fantasy team for the 48th game of the IPL 2021 between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings scheduled to take place on the 3rd of October 2021.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have won 7 out of their 11 games and are going ahead to seal their playoffs place with this game. They will take on Punjab Kings who are struggling with their form. In the reverse fixture held at Ahmedabad earlier this year, Punjab Kings won by 34 runs.
Punjab Kings won their last game against Kolkata Knight Riders by 5 wickets. While bowling first, Ravi Bishnoi bowled a good spell of 2/22 in his four overs. Arshdeep Singh also provided a good start with the new ball as he picked three wickets by conceding just 32 runs. In the chasing, KL Rahul scored 67 runs in 55 balls at the top. Mayank Agrawal also played terrific knock of 40 runs in 27 balls and Shah Rukh Khan finished the game with a cameo.
On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets. While bowling first, Harshal Patel picked 3/34 including a hat-trick in this four overs. Shahbaz Ahmed and Yuzvendra Chahal also picked two wickets each. In the batting department, Glenn Maxwell scored match-winning half-century and Srikar Bharat also assisted him well with his knock of 44 runs.
Match Details
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Pitch and Weather: The surfaces in Sharjah so far have been pretty much on the slower side and the run-making has been difficult, especially in an afternoon game. So it will be the same in this important clash as well. The weather will be clear as no rain is predicted during the match hours and the temperature will be in the high 30s.
Date & Time: October 3, 3.30 PM IST
Probable Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bangalore have won comfortably against Royals so they are unlikely to make any changes in this game. Devdutt Paddikal and Virat Kohli will open for RCB. KS Bharath has played really good knocks in his limited opportunities. Shahbaz Ahmed is also contributing well with his spin bowling. In the bowling department, Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal are consistently taking wickets for RCB.
Punjab Kings have made a couple of changes in the last game and they got decent results with changes. KL Rahul and Mayank Agrawal are very successful at the top. Nicholas Pooran is likely to get more chances as Chris Gayle took back his name due to stress of bio-bubble. Shah Rukh Khan played a decent cameo with the bat against the Royals. In the bowling department, Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh are taking wickets at regular intervals.
Punjab Kings: KL Rahul (c & wk), Mayank Agrawal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Shah Rukh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Fabian Allen, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammad Shami
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli(c), Devdutt Padikkal, KS Bharath, AB De Villiers (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian, George Garton, Shahbaz Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel
Match Prediction
Royal Challengers Bangalore are one step closer to their playoffs qualifications and they are also a more balanced side compared to Punjab Kings. So, Kohli-led RCB will start as favorites against Punjab Kings in this game.
Fantasy Tips
Batsmen: Devdutt Paddikal has been in good rhythm as he scored 309 runs in this ongoing season for RCB. AB De Villiers didn’t get many chances to bat in this second leg but he has been exceptional with the bat for RCB. Aiden Markram scored 113 runs in four games with an average of 38. Mayank Agrawal scored 40 runs against Royals with strike rate of 148.
Wicket-Keepers: KL Rahul is the highest run-scorer in this ongoing IPL season with 489 runs to his name. KS Bharath scored 90 runs in 3 games with an average of 30 for RCB.
All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell is running in good form with bat and also contributing well with ball, whenever he gets to bowl in this season. He scored match-winning fifty in the last game against Royals.
Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal picked 11 wickets in 11 games for RCB in this season. Garton can be picked as second bowler from RCB in this game. Arshdeep Singh picked 16 wickets in this season for Punjab Kings. Ravi Bishnoi is continuously giving good bowling performances and also picked two wickets in the last game.
Captaincy Choices
Fantasy Team: KL Rahul(vc), KS Bharath, AB De Villiers, Mayank Agrawal, Aiden Markram, Devdutt Padikkal, Glenn Maxwell, Arshdeep Singh, George Garton, Ravi Bishnoi, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Captain – Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell scored 350 runs in this season for RCB and he also takes wickets with his off-spin bowling. So Maxwell will be the best pick to captain in this game.
Vice-Captain – KL Rahul
KL Rahul is the highest run-scorer of IPL 2021 and also scored match-winning fifty in the last game so KL Rahul can be selected as Vice-Captain in this game.
Dream11 Team
