IPL 2018, KXIP vs RCB: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) probable playing XI against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Buoyed by twin half-centuries from AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli, and a win in their pocket and a possibility of somehow making it through, the Royal Challengers Bangalore will come out all guns blazing in an attempt to carry forward the momentum. Their next mission is to down the might of the Kings XI Punjab, especially their ex-comrade, KL Rahul, who has been in superb touch with the bat for them.

The Punjab side have been struggling recently with form - with one win and three losses, they have given away some of the hard work done in the first half.

Here's what the line-up might look like against RCB -

He might be a spectator on the field, but once Chris Gayle gathers the bat, there's little that can stop him, when in full flow. Having already scored three fifties and a hundred this season, Gayle will look to prove a point against his former franchise.

He's flicked a switch, and KL Rahul is looking more dangerous than ever. The consistency with which he has been churning runs upfront is one of the biggest reasons why Kings XI Punjab are currently third in the points table.

Unless Ashwin volunteers, Karun Nair is likely to bat at No.3. He has been giving the Punjab side starts in the middle-order, but hasn't really played a game-defining knock as of now. He still doesn't have a fifty under his belt this season.

Mayank Agarwal's domestic form hasn't really translated into this year's IPL, but the elegant batsman has shown traces of brilliance, although not so consistently. He could get a nod ahead of Manoj Tiwary, despite a duck in the previous game.

Aaron Finch hasn't lit up the IPL on fire but is slowly finding some form after having endured a torrid start to the year. He scored 34 in the last game, his highest score this year, but might need some promotion up the order to fare better.

David Miller has been kept out of the playing XI more often than not, the 28-year-old has played just two games this season. With a 24 and 26 in his last games, he hasn't been given much opportunity but could be included for firepower in the lower order.

Axar Patel has also been out of the first side for a long time and only found game time recently. His canny left-arm spin is a plus point for the side, and his batting down the order has been a bonus.

Ravichandran Ashwin enjoyed a good time with the bat in the last game and has been spot on with some of his captaincy decisions, although he hasn't been in top-notch form with the ball.

His back-of-the-hand slower balls have been his best friend, for Mohit Sharma has been silently putting in the hard work for the Punjab side. Although he has been expensive (his economy has been over 10) he has picked up crucial wickets during the mid-overs.

After having started off slowly, Andrew Tye has shown why he is one of the best death bowlers in T20 cricket. His ability to mix up his deliveries and stifle the flow of runs has seen him take 20 wickets and become the Purple Cap holder.

Barinder Sran couldn't make much impact, and Punjab might return to Ankit Rajpoot to support the in-form Andrew Tye. The 24-year-old has a fifer to his name this season and could help create pressure in the initial overs.

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