Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | IPL 2022
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore on and what time does it start? Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore will take place on Sunday 27th March, 2022 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore taking place? Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore will take place at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai, India
Where can I get tickets for Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore on in the UK? Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore will be televised live on Sky Sports
Where can I stream Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in the UK? Sky Sports subscribers can stream Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
PUNJAB KINGS
- It is a very different looking Punjab Kings top order who will be on the show in this match with former captain K.L Rahul having left for pastures new and his successor Mayank Agarwal is expected to be partnered with veteran IPL star Shikhar Dhawan, who last plied his trade at Delhi Capitals.
- Both South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and England batter Jonny Bairstow will miss this opening match, however Bairstow T20i teammate Liam Livingstone is available and the all-rounder signed for huge money in action will have huge pressure on his shoulders as his form will play a big part as to whether the Kings will taste success in both this match and the competition as a whole.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
- Royal Challengers Bangalore remain without that illusive IPL title and have turned to a newly signed South African in a bid to change their fortunes as opener Faf du Plessis, a reigning IPL champion with Chennai Super Kings inherits the captaincy vacated by Virat Kohli whilst 2022 represents RCB’s first IPL campaign since the retirement of AB de Villiers.
- Du Plessis will have to make do without Australian pain Glenn Maxwell and Josh Hazlewood here with the former in particular a big loss as his skills with both bat and ball balances out this RCB side so well.
THE PREDICTION
Key to victory in the battle between these two sides is whichever can cope best without the players who would normally play a huge role for them in a match like this. Punjab Kings for example will be missing not only a fierce top order batter, but also a vital fast bowler at both the start and end of the innings, whilst Royal Challengers Bangalore are without their main all-rounder who was so important for them last season. Ultimately, the bowling unit of Punjab Kings in particular doesn’t look the strongest, especially when lacking a player of Rabada’s class and when you consider that RCB have players such as Kohli within their ranks, they will be expected to take advantage. Therefore, back RCB to prove too strong for the Kings in this contest and open their 2022 IPL points account.
