Dependence on Virat Kohli and dying bowling woes

On Sunday, Punjab Kings achieved a feat no workforce had carried out earlier than within the IPL. Shreyas Iyer led the cost to assist PBKS change into the primary workforce to chase 200+ in opposition to Mumbai Indians. Now, on Tuesday, PBKS goal to win what might be their first IPL title because the event’s inception. They face a spirited and in-form Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), in what guarantees to be a blockbuster conflict.

RCB handed Punjab Kings a humiliation when the 2 groups confronted off in Qualifier 1 in Chandigarh. PBKS had been shot down for 101, the joint third-lowest complete in a playoff sport. Now in Ahmedabad, Iyer and Co. goal for revenge and a primary title for the franchise. Right here, at Insidesport.IN, we take a look at 3 weaknesses Punjab Kings may goal to finish their IPL drought.

Dependence on Kohli, Salt

RCB have carried out effectively to scale back the burden on Virat Kohli’s shoulders this season. RCB have had a number of stars flip up with the bat, with a file 10 batsmen scoring a half-century for them in IPL 2025. Nonetheless, these exploits have nonetheless been aided by Kohli’s consistency on the high. Virat has 614 runs in 14 video games this season, his third straight season scoring 600 or extra runs.

He’s comfortably RCB’s main run-getter this season, with Phil Salt a distant second with 387. The previous captain has been central to holding the innings collectively whereas the remainder of the batting order goes arduous from ball 1. Virat Kohli’s runs have come at a strike price of 146.53, with him scoring a half-century in each second innings. His file at Ahmedabad is outstanding, averaging 68.14 with 477 runs in 12 video games. His partnership with Salt is essential to RCB’s probabilities and Punjab would hope to dismantle the identical.

Punjab Kings will hope that Arshdeep Singh can present them with early breakthroughs. The left-armer has picked up 36 off his 77 IPL profession wickets within the powerplay. With Kyle Jamieson additionally for firm, Shreyas will hope to say dominance early. Jamieson famously dismissed Kohli within the WTC Ultimate in 2021 and can hope to duplicate the identical on Tuesday.

Demise bowling woes

Josh Hazlewood has been RCB’s shining mild this season, however they the others have a lot work to do. RCB wrestle particularly within the dying overs, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal each proving costly. Bhuvneshwar has conceded at an financial system of 10.46 in overs 16-20. For Dayal, it’s 13.33, whereas Romario Shepherd has an financial system price of 12. Hazlewood in comparsion boasts of conceding solely 9 runs per over.

If Shreyas and Co can navigate the overs from Hazlewood, then RCB might be very weak. The Punjab Kings did so with Jasprit Bumrah on Sunday and an identical present may hand them the higher hand within the IPL 2025 Ultimate.

Flaky center order

Rajat Patidar has had a horror previous few video games, having struggled with harm. Mayank Agarwal has not absolutely delivered as Devdutt Padikkal’s alternative, whereas Liam Livingstone has been out of shape. Tim David’s health can be a priority. Whereas they’ve turned up in moments, RCB’s high order has been their major run-getters. With Chahal match and more likely to play, RCB’s center order must flip up. Ought to RCB’s openers falter Punjab would hope to pile the strain on within the center overs and get the specified outcome.