Confident RCB face Kings XI Punjab at Dubai International Stadium

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab, both the teams with contrasting results in the first game, go head-to-head at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Virat Kohli-led side kickstarted their campaign with a 10-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, while KXIP succumbed to defeat against Delhi Capitals in a nerve-wracking contest. 

Match Details 

Date: Thursday, 23 September 

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Time: 7:30 PM (IST) 

Chahal vs Maxwell - The battle of heavyweights 

T20 cricket is configured in such a way that small battles have a substantial impact on the final outcome of the game. Yuzvendra Chahal has enjoyed considerable success against Glenn Maxwell, snaring him on three occasions in IPL.

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab, both the teams with contrasting results in the first game, go head-to-head at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Virat Kohli-led side kickstarted their campaign with a 10-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, while KXIP succumbed to defeat against Delhi Capitals in a nerve-wracking contest. 

[OB - Overs bowled, RC - Runs conceded, SR - Strike rate] 

Players to watch out for 

Devdutt Padikkal 

Thanks to a scintillating show in the first fixture, the limelight will continue to remain on Devdutt Padikkal. Earlier on Monday, the SRH bowlers had an arduous time containing the southpaw. The Royal Challengers will want Devdutt to carry on from where he finished in the previous fixture in Dubai. 

Yuzvendra Chahal 

The wily leg-spinner exhibited a match-defining spell against SRH, smothering the batsman with his enticing flight and googly. The things will be no different on Thursday. Chahal will have a significant role to play, given his impressive track record against Kings XI Punjab. He has picked up 19 wickets at a rate of 12.23, combined with an impressive economy rate. Come Thursday, Yuzi will look to cause grief to the KXIP batting unit. 

KL Rahul 

The 28-year-old has churned runs on a consistent basis for KXIP over the last few years. After a forgetful outing against Delhi Capitals, Rahul will be eager to make amends with the bat against his former side. He will be also aware that his performance will have a massive relevance on the team’s prospects.

Mohammed Shami 

Moving forward to the bowling front, plenty will rest on the shoulders of Mohammed Shami. The pacer, with his tight and nagging lengths, asked a few tough questions to the Delhi Capital batsmen in their first game. Virat Kohli & Co. will have to be vigilant against the threats posed by Shami. 

Head to Head record 

Matches: 24 

RCB: 12

KXIP: 12 

Squads

RCB: Virat Kohli, Parthiv Patel, AB de Villiers, Chris Morris, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shivam Dubey, Aaron Finch, Umesh Yadav, Adam Zampa, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Dale Steyn, Moeen Ali, Pawan Negi, Gurkeerat Mann Singh, Isuru Udana, Devdutt Padikkal, Shahbaz Ahmed, Joshua Philippe, Pavan Deshpande.

KXIP: KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Chris Jordan, Deepak Hooda, Glenn Maxwell, Krishnappa Gowtham, James Neesham, Karun Nair, Mandeep Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh, Darshan Nalkande, Hardus Viljoen, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel, Jagadeesha Suchith, Nicholas Pooran, Prabhsimran Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Sarfaraz Khan, Sheldon Cottrell, Tajinder Dhillon.