What

Match 44 of DLF IPL 2012 will see the Royal Challengers Bangalore play host to Kings XI Punjab.

Both teams have four wins from nine matches, but RCB are placed higher than KXIP in the standings because of the one point they bagged from their washed out encounter against the Chennai Super Kings.

RCB are coming out of a drubbing at the hands of the Kolkata Knight Riders four days ago. On the other hand, Kings XI Punjab edged out defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, in their last fixture.

When

Wednesday, May 2, 2012, 08:00 p.m.

Where

M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

The Protagonists

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Royal Challengers Bangalore have been a one-man force since Chris Gayle joined the team midway through last season. The Jamaican has contributed over a third of the runs scored by his team and has single-handedly won them many a game. Though he hasn’t been at his destructive best just yet – often playing out several deliveries before opening his shoulders – he is still his team’s leading run-getter in IPL 2012.

For Kings XI Punjab to do well, they will need their two experienced players – Shaun Marsh and David Hussey – to score the bulk of the runs. In a team with limited domestic talent, Mandeep Singh and Nitin Saini have done well at the top of the innings, and that has given Marsh and Hussey the license to go out and play their natural shots.

KXIP’s Parvinder Awana has been the find of the season as far as Indian bowlers are concerned. The 25-year-old has caught everyone’s eye not only because of the wickets he has picked up, but also because of his bowling characteristics; he has bowled with good pace, maintained disciplined lines and lengths, generated sharp bounce and picked up some big wickets.

Previous Meetings

Kings XI Punjab beat the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first three matches between these teams. Since then though, RCB have dominated the contests, winning five out of the six meetings. In the most recent meeting between them at Mohali earlier this season, RCB successfully chased down 163 with five wickets in hand.

Trivia

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have the worst economy rate out of the nine teams in IPL 2012 – 8.64.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have also hit the most sixes in IPL 2012 – 56. On the other hand, Kings XI Punjab have hit the least sixes this season – 33.

What next?

After a brief three-day break, the Royal Challengers Bangalore will square off next against the Deccan Chargers on May 6. Kings XI Punjab, meanwhile, will host the Rajasthan Royals on May 5.