RCB v PBKS: 48th IPL Match Probable Playing XI

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In the 48th match of IPL 2021, Punjab Kings will face Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sharjah on 3rd October. PBKS defeated RCB the last time these two teams met this season. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore's batting has been in top form lately. The openers - Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal - are providing good starts, while Glenn Maxwell is cashing in on the middle overs and death overs. KS Bharat has done well at the top. Once AB De Villiers starts connecting, RCB's top order will gain more strength, especially going into the playoffs. 

The bowling has been the key for Bangalore. Yuzvendra Chahal is in brilliant rhythm, while Harshal Patel is unplayable in the death overs. Shahbaz Ahmed could be the game-changer. 

Punjab Kings' batting is highly dependent on KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. Aiden Markram, too, has done well in the middle overs. The addition of Shahrukh Khan has brought depth in the batting lineup and more firepower. 

Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh have done well in the death overs. Arshdeep is consistent in picking wickets with both new and old ball. Ravi Bishnoi will be the X-factor. 

Despite having big names, surprisingly, Virat Kohli's RCB hasn't dominated PBKS much. In 27 matches, Punjab has won 15 matches against Bangalore. 

RCB v PBKS Head-to-Head:

• Total – 27
• Royal Challengers Bangalore – 12
• Punjab Kings – 15

RCB v PBKS, 48th IPL Match Probable Playing XI:

RCB Probable Playing XI - Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat (wk), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Daniel Christian, George Garton, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

PBKS Probable Playing XI - KL Rahul (c & wk), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Deepak Hooda, Fabian Allen/ Moises Henriques, Nathan Ellis, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh