RCB vs PBKS Highlights IPL 2022: Bairstow, Livingstone, Rabada star in Punjab's comprehensive win over Bangalore

The last time these two sides met, 27 sixes were hit - the most in this season so far. Expecting a few lusty blows from Liam Livingstone, Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik tonight!

While Kohli's dwindling form remains a big concern, Bangalore's batting has been elevated by Dinesh Karthik, who seems to be in world of his own. The seasoned keeper-batter has scored 274 runs at an average of 68.50, having stayed unbeaten 8 times.

"Raring to go today. I started the season well and although it's been going well thereafter too, the finger injury has affected me a bit. There have been stitches and the recovery process is on," says Chahar.

With six single-digit scores this season, Kohli faces a stiff challenge to find his run-scoring spree. Will be interesting to see how he approaches his innings, especially when his strike rate has been on the lower side. Less than 30 minutes to go for the toss!!!

Matthew Hayden reckons average score batting first here has been 177 but a winning total has been in the 190s. Batters love it here, because, it is an absolute belter. It's hard, nice covering of grass and there will be some swing upfront due to the extreme humidity these days. Bowlers will hope to get some swing, because if they don't, they'll go the distance as this is a fast-scoring ground.

While Sandeep has removed Kolhi on seven occasions, Kagiso Rabada has plucked the wicket of Dinesh Karthik thrice. Both bowlers will look to leave their mark at Brabourne tonight!

Virat Kohli needs 77 more runs to complete 7000 T20 runs for RCB (Champions League T20 and IPL)

Rajat Patidar needs 2 more runs to complete 1000 T20 runs.

Josh Hazlewood is one wicket away from completing 100 T20 wickets.

Bangalore can put one foot in the playoffs with a win tonight. The race for the top-4 spot has heated up, especially since Gujarat Titans became the first team to qualify. The toss and teams aren't far away... stay tuned for live updates!

Faf du Plessis scored an unbeaten 73 in the last game and the RCB skipper will look to replicate his batting display. The South African has got a decent record against Punjab Kings. In 15 matches, he has scored over 700 runs at a staggering average of 63.82 including eight fifties.

While names like Jitesh Sharma are making headlines, Siraj has been struggling for wickets this season. The Indian quick has managed to take just eight wickets in 12 games so far. Also, he has an economy of 13.60 in death overs.

Jitesh Sharma has grabbed attention with his audacious strokeplay for Punjab Kings but the in-form keeper-batter is focussing on his performance instead of the uncontrollable, which is the India call-up.

In his seven innings, including three 30-plus scores, Jitesh has scored 162 runs at a strike rate of 167.

Sandeep Sharma has experience of playing 100-plus IPL games but the pacer hasn't clicked for Punjab so far. He has got 54 IPL wickets in the powerplay, which accounts for 47 per cent of his total IPL wickets (114). 

But Sandeep has plucked just 1 wicket inside the powerplay in 11 innings.

While Kohli has scored 782 runs in the IPL against Punjab, he faces a stiff challenge against Sandeep Sharma. The experienced pacer has removed Kohli on seven occasions. No other bowler has been as successful as Sandeep against Kohli.

Speaking about his loyalty to RCB, Virat recently said, "The perks of loyalty are way more than the perks of captaincy." Staunch Bangalore supporters are eager to see their favourite player find his lost mojo.

Talking about head-to-head record, Punjab have a 16-13 advantage over Bangalore. Also, both teams have lost three out of last five games.

Jonny Bairstow finally got runs after being promoted to open the innings alongside Shikhar Dhawan. The two can pose a huge threat if they conjure a blistering start.

Virat Kohli has got 216 runs in 12 games but his below-par strike rate also raises eyebrows. He has notched up one half-century score at a strike rate of 111.3 this season.

While Kohli and Rawat have had a faltering season at the top, Patidar and Karthik have turned Bangalore's batting unit into a formidable one. It remains to be seen whether Faf tinkers with the winning combination.

“What we are trying to get better as a team is making sure that one of those top-four creates a bit of a base. We have got some really strong hitters at the back,” Faf had said after his team's win over Hyderabad. 

RCB enter the game on the back of wins against Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Punjab's all-or-nothing batting approach might work in Bangalore's favour, who are in touching distance of a top-4 finish.

Mohammad Siraj has not been at his best but Bangalore have got Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel to contribute with regular wickets. Hazlewood has picked up 13 wickets so far, while Harshal has got 14 plucks under his belt.

On the bowling front, Bangalore have Wanindu Hasaranga, who decimated Hyderabad with a fifer in the last game. The Sri Lankan tweaker is among the leading wicket-takers in the tournament with 21 scalps including a five-wicket haul.

Kohli, who is in the middle of his worst IPL season, is due for an impact knock for a long time. He would look to find his run-scoring mojo at the business end of the tournament.

A win tonight will steer RCB to 16 points though 18 seems to be a safe number for a play-off berth.

Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Karthik, Josh Hazlewood, Shahbaz Ahmed, Anuj Rawat, Akash Deep, Mahipal Lomror, Finn Allen, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Behrendorff, Suyash Prabhudesai, Chama Milind, Aneeshwar Gautam, Karn Sharma, David Willey, Rajat Patidar, Siddharth Kaul.

Kohli also spoke about his relationship with current skipper Faf du Plessis, who took over the leadership after the Indian stepped down from the role last year.

"I and Faf have always gotten along really well even before we played together this season because he was the captain of South Africa for a while. Faf is a guy who is very sure of himself, and he has full authority on the field," said Kohli.

"Sometimes I mention things and tells me 'no, I don't want to do that', which I respect a lot because that obviously makes you gain respect for the person you are playing under."

Bangalore are currently ranked 4th in the points table with 7 wins in 12 games. To finish the league stage among the top four teams, they must win at least one of their remaining two game