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The victor of Thursday’s game will maintain their narrow chances of qualifying for the postseason, while the loser would become just the second team eliminated this year, after the Mumbai Indians.
RCB is a different team in their past five games than they were in their first six. Ever since they fell against Sunrisers Hyderabad by just 25 runs in a 288 chase, their hitters have turned on a switch. The 152 that RCB managed to score in Bengaluru while chasing 148 against Gujarat Titans is their lowest total in the previous five games. They have benefited from the return to form of Faf du Plessis and a consistent top four that includes Rajat Patidar, Will Jacks, Virat Kohli, and du Plessis.
Due to Du Plessis’ two fifty-score innings in the previous five games, RCB was able to score more runs in the opening six overs. In the previous five games, their powerplay run-rate (12.3) has been significantly higher than it was in the first six (8.27). Because of this, they can now field players like Jacks and Patidar in the middle overs. RCB’s run rate has increased as a result of their early risks, which occasionally result in wickets but also work in their benefit. They’re hitting the middle overs at 11.03 in matches since April 15 compared to 8.41 in games prior, thanks to improved spin-hitters in the crease.
Another consequence of this batting comeback is that Kohli, who has been reliable since the IPL 2024 began, can now play whatever he wants, as seen by the fact that his strike rate has increased from 141.77 in the first six games to 158.15 in the final five games. This is partly the reason that RCB is playing PBKS at a potentially advantageous time.
Although PBKS travel quite well, they do not feel very comfortable at home. They have the most home venues of any team, having had three in the last two seasons: Mullanpur, Dharamsala, and Mohali. They have won one of the six home games in the IPL 2024, but three of the five away games. In the last two seasons, PBKS has had the lowest proportion of home victories. Their IPL 2024 matchup against RCB will be their final one in Dharamsala.