Preview: IPL 2015 Match 40 - Royal Challengers Bangalore Vs Kings XI Punjab

Bengaluru, May 5: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) would seek to consolidate their position in the top four, while the bottom-placed Kings XI Punjab would try to end a four-match losing streak when the two sides lock horns in an Indian Premier League 2015 (IPL 8) match here tomorrow.

IPL Special; Points Table

Placed fourth in the points table, RCB is coming off a 24-run defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings yesterday.

The hosts, led by Virat Kohli, would be the favourites to emerge victorious against Kings XI Punjab, whose chances of making the playoffs are all but over after seven losses from nine matches.

RCB have four wins and as many losses in nine matches they have played so far, while KXIP remained at the bottom with four points against their name.

RCB would like to forget their defeat against CSK and return to winning ways at the crucial business end of the season.

In fact, a loss here and there could spell doom for the hosts. RCB could not get past the paltry CSK total of 148 for nine as they were all out for 124 following a horrendous batting display during which they lost seven wickets for 27 runs in 5.5 overs.

RCB have struggled to come good before their home crowd and lost three matches before pulling off a 10-over-a-side match against Kolkata Knight Riders.

With the likes of the big-hitting Chris Gayle, who missed out against CSK, AB de Villiers and Kohli himself in the team, the hosts can fancy their chances at Chinnaswamy stadium.

Mandeep Singh, hero against KKR, was unfortunately run out in the last match but he would look to impress one more time.

De Villiers, who made 21 in the last game, would be eager to get a big one, which is due from his willow.

On the bowling front, Mitchell Starc has infused confidence into other RCB bowlers, which was reflected in the last game where David Wiese and Harshal Patel, took two wickets. The Australian bowler ended with figures of three for 24 in four overs.

On the other side, KXIP have made changes in their playing eleven, often resting Glenn Maxwell and David Miller, without much gain. Their batting has been a great letdown compared to last year when they reached the finals.

Virender Sehwag, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell have not managed to make the kind of impact they were expected to ahead of the tournament.

KXIP's bowlers too have been a huge disappointment with pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson being the biggest flop. Barring pacer Sandeep Sharma and left-arm spinner Axar Patel, the KXIP bowling has never looked threatening.

Squads

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli (captain), AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Mitchell Starc, Nic Maddinson, Varun Aaron, Ashok Dinda, Harshal Patel, Vijay Zol, Abu Nechim, Sandeep Warrier, Yogesh Takawale, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rilee Rossouw, Iqbal Abdulla, Manvinder Bisla, Mandeep Singh, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Subramaniam Badrinath, Darren Sammy, Sean Abbott, David Wiese, Sarfaraz Khan, Jalaj Saxena, Shishir Bhavane, Sreenath Arvind.

Kings XI Punjab: George Bailey (captain), Axar Patel, Anureet Singh, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Glenn Maxwell, Gurkeerat Mann Singh, Karanveer Singh, Manan Vohra, Mitchell Johnson, Parvinder Awana, Rishi Dhawan, Sandeep Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Shaun Marsh, Shivam Sharma, Thisara Perera, Virender Sehwag, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Murali Vijay, Nikhil Naik, Yogesh Golwalkar.

Match starts 8 PM IST

PTI