In a quick turnaround, Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) once again, this time at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on Sunday, April 20.
Just a day ago, these two sides faced off in Bengaluru, where PBKS emerged victorious in a rain-hit, low-scoring encounter. RCB struggled with the bat, posting a below-par total, and will be looking to put up a much-improved batting performance in the reverse fixture.
PBKS, meanwhile, look even more threatening with Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh back in form. Under the sharp leadership of Shreyas Iyer, they will be eyeing their sixth win of the season in what will be their final home game in Mullanpur.
Pitch Report
Expect a good batting surface with something in it for spinners and change-of-pace bowlers. Two of the three matches played at the venue this season have seen teams batting first breach the 200-run mark. The last game, however, witnessed the lowest total ever defended in IPL history. The captain winning the toss may prefer to chase, with 190 considered a competitive score.
Weather Forecast
As it’s an afternoon fixture, temperatures are expected to hover around 37°C, with no rain expected.
Head to Head
Out of 34 encounters between the two sides in the IPL, PBKS have the edge with 18 wins, while RCB have claimed victory 16 times. Notably, RCB had narrowed the gap in 2024 with three consecutive wins before their recent loss.
Where to Watch
Live telecast will be available on the Star Sports Network, with streaming access via the JioCinema app and website.
Match Prediction
With their spinners in top form and a strong bowling attack overall, PBKS will start as favourites, especially having already won two games at home. However, they’ll need to remain wary of RCB, who are capable of bouncing back quickly.