Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Preview: Spin Threat Looms for RCB

Date: Sunday, 20 April 2025
Venue: Mullanpur
Author: sachin singh

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Form Guide & Team News

Punjab Kings surged to second on the table with a dominant win over RCB on Friday. Having claimed five wins from their first seven matches, they’re closing in on playoff qualification—and may even eye a top-two finish. A key change saw Glenn Maxwell dropped, replaced effectively by Marcus Stoinis. Yuzvendra Chahal has been a standout, picking up six wickets across the last two games.

Probable Punjab XI: Arya (sub: Arshdeep), Prab Singh, Iyer, Inglis, Wadhera, Shahshank, Stoinis, Jansen, Harpreet, Bartlett, Chahal

Meanwhile, RCB continue to struggle, especially at home, and will be relieved to hit the road again. Their lack of squad depth and batting intent in high-pressure situations has cost them dearly. A rain-shortened clash saw their top order crumble to 95 for 9 against Punjab. With Liam Livingstone under pressure, the inclusion of Jacob Bethell could be a bold, necessary switch.

Probable RCB XI: Salt, Kohli, Patidar, Livingstone (sub: Vhadage), Jitesh, Krunal, David, Kumar, Hazlewood, Dayal, Suyash

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Pitch Watch: Mullanpur Mystery

The surface at Mullanpur has been unpredictable. While Rajasthan and Punjab posted 200+ totals earlier in the season, Punjab also defended a paltry 111 in another fixture. It’s unclear if this will be a batting-friendly “road” or offer more to the bowlers. Best to assess the pitch after the first few overs before forming firm conclusions.

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Tactical Battle: Spin to Win

RCB’s top order, dominated by right-handers, continues to struggle against spin that moves away. Punjab exploited this with Chahal and Harpreet Brar in the last meeting, each picking up two wickets. The problem has persisted since Gujarat’s Sai Kishore exposed this vulnerability earlier in the season.

Punjab’s diverse bowling attack—with left-arm variation and wrist spin—poses a significant threat. Their ability to control the middle overs could prove decisive again.

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Players to Watch

Yuzvendra Chahal: In top form and Punjab’s trump card. His ability to deceive and control the game is key.

Harpreet Brar: Another spinner who could cause trouble, especially if the surface offers grip.

Virat Kohli: After a rare failure, he’ll be motivated to bounce back. His role in anchoring the innings remains critical.

Devdutt Padikkal: As the lone left-hander in the top five, he may be elevated in the batting order to counter the spin threat.

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Match Outlook

Punjab hold the edge both on recent form and head-to-head momentum. Their varied bowling attack, especially the spin duo of Chahal and Brar, has the upper hand over RCB’s brittle middle order. While Punjab can be unpredictable, they’ve shown more tactical discipline and depth this season.

RCB, on the other hand, need a strong foundation from their openers and may benefit from reshuffling their middle order. The inclusion of Bethell or a promotion for Padikkal could offer a surprise edge.

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Punjab kings to win today