The match 27 of IPL 2023 between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Mohali’s IS Bindra Stadium on Thursday, 20 April promises to be an exciting contest. Punjab is on the fift position in the points table, while Bangalore is on the seventh position.
PBKS, led by Shikhar Dhawan, have won three and lost two matches so far, while RCB, captained by Faf du Plessis, have won two and lost three matches in their campaign. In the last match, PBKS, secured a comfortable victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Meanwhile, RCB were dominated by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their last match.
Two highly skilled teams are set to collide in what promises to be an exciting match. With both the teams eager to secure their fourth and third win in the IPL 2023. Both teams have played five matches. Punjab has won 17 games, while Bangalore has won 13 games so far in the head to head encounters.
Also Read: IPL 2023 Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: Weather Report for Match 27
Here are three player battles to watch out for during PBKS vs RCB match:
1) Shikhar Dhawan vs Mohammad Siraj
Shikhar Dhawan has been a consistent performer for his team this season and is one of the top contenders for the Orange Cap. Punjab will rely on him to provide a strong start once again. He will face the challenge of Mohammad Siraj in the powerplay, who has been in great form this season. The battle between these two experienced players promises to be a captivating one.
2) Virat Kohli vs Arshdeep Singh
Virat Kohli has struggled against left-arm seamers early in his innings, and he will be wary of Arshdeep Singh’s abilities with the new ball. The Punjab bowler will look to exploit Kohli’s early caution, and his bag of tricks could prove difficult for the former RCB skipper to handle. However, Kohli will be looking to bounce back and prove his mettle.
3) Glenn Maxwell vs Kagiso Rabada
Glenn Maxwell showed his true potential in the last game, scoring a blistering 76 off just 36 balls. The RCB middle-order batter will be looking to continue his form against Kagiso Rabada, who is yet to hit his stride this season. PBKS will be hoping that Rabada, who is the quickest to 100 wickets in the IPL, can make a statement in the game against RCB.