IPL 2021 Match Prediction: Punjab Kings V Royal Challengers Bangalore. 26th Match. Who Will Win?

On paper, this match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) is a bit of a mismatch. The RCB have only lost one game this season, while the PBKS have won just two matches. However, one of the games that they won was against the Mumbai Indians, one of the favourites for the title, so anything can happen. Read on for our IPL prediction of who will win the 26th match of IPL 2021

IPL Team Preview: Punjab Kings

The PBKS have played a weird brand of cricket in the 2021 IPL. They have plenty of batting power in their ranks, but it seems that they are afraid to make use of it. They batted first in their last match on a good batting wicket and only just managed to pass 120, thanks to some a quick innings from Chris Jordan. Batsmen such as Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, and Mayank Aggarwal have struggled for consistent form. We all know that they are very good players, but we do not know when they are going to show up.

Gayle and Rahul should have some extra motivation against the RCB as both used to be an important part of their lineup before they were dropped. Deepak Hooda managed to score some runs at the start of the tournament, but he has since gone off the boil, but we feel that he deserves another chance to get back to the form we saw. Nicholas Pooran is also in poor form, so we feel that the only way PBKS will win this match is if the top 3 fire.

The bowling attack is confused too. Moise Henriques is in as a general all-rounder, so will bowl in every game. This means that he and Hooda will fill the role of a bowler, while the likes of Jordan, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Ravi Bishnoi are the team's four main bowlers. This is not a bad bowling attack, but it can be extremely expensive against a very good batting lineup, which is what the RCB have.

IPL Team Preview: Royal Challengers Bangalore

The RCB got lucky in their previous game against the DC, which they won by a solitary run. They did not bat well at all, but they were saved by the majestic AB de Villiers. The problem with having one batsman fewer than is needed was covered by the decent innings from Rajat Patidar, but the bulk of their runs need to come from their top 4. We have included Devdutt Padikkal in this alongside, Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, and de Villiers because he has been excellent lately.

When it comes to their batting, the RCB are ahead of the PBKS and maybe every other team in the 2021 IPL. Their big players are in good form and bat with freedom. They are also playing without fear, and credit needs to go to the leadership for this.

The bowling attack for RCB is also really good. Mohammad Siraj has improved drastically over the last few months and is now the leader of their attack. Harshal Patel, on the other hand, has the useful habit of getting wickets when he comes on to bowl. In the last game, Daniel Sams was given the chance to play instead of Dan Christian, and he is not a bad bowling option at all. He is a really good bowler and can score some quick runs in the lower order. We think he will play again in this game.

Toss Prediction

The team that is lucky enough to win the coin toss will more than likely decide to field first. There has been some dew about in the second innings lately, which makes it harder for the defending team. Both of these teams like to chase and seem to perform better when they have got a target to aim for.

Pitch and Conditions

The conditions at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad have been pretty good for cricket. There is something there for both spin bowlers and fast bowlers, while the batsmen are always in the game because of the short boundaries. However, it can be a bit difficult for spinners in the second innings due to the dew factor. The team that bats first will aim for around 170.

Our Punjab Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL Betting Tips

The Royal Challengers Bangalore are the favourites to win this game, and we have no problem with this verdict. They have a better batting and bowling attack and are in better form than the Punjab Kings. Yes, the latter do have some match winners, which is why the odds for a RCB win are as high as they are.

Our IPL Prediction:Royal Challengers Bangalore to win the 26th match of the 2021 IPL.