RCB vs KXIP Match Prediction: Who will win the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2016, Match 50

A rampant Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on a struggling Kings XI Punjab in the 50th match of the VIVO IPL 2016 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. While RCB are going from strength to strength in every game that they play as they push for a spot in the playoffs, KXIP have had a disappointing season so far and are already out of the race for the playoffs. It will be a must-win game for the Challengers considering the fact that they have just one more match left to play. For the Kings, though, it is just a chance to salvage some pride and also spoil RCB's party at the same time.

Royal Challengers Bangalore are easily the most dominant batting side in the tournament and they have taken good advantage of this fact till now. Their bowling had been quite poor throughout most of their early games but they have managed to pull things back a bit in the past few games.

Kings XI Punjab, on the other hand, have had their fair share of struggles across both departments, even though there have been some credible performances from their players. Their biggest worry in the season has been the lack of form for some of their stars from previous editions and this has hampered their progress.

The heroics of the RCB batting duo of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers make this encounter worth looking forward to. Also, it will be interesting to see whether KXIP can put the brakes on the Bangalore juggernaut.

Venue: Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Match date: 18 May 2016

Match timings: 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT

If Royal Challengers Bangalore bat first

Predicted score: 190 and above

Skipper Virat Kohli has been in monumental form this year for the Challengers and has scored 752 runs in 12 innings so far, which is the highest run tally by any player in a single IPL season. His team-mate, AB de Villiers, has also been firing all cylinders and is the second highest run-scorer with 597 runs at an average of just under 60 and a strike in excess of 170. The two of them have put together a number of incredible partnerships in the current edition of the IPL.

KL Rahul has been in superb form, too, and has a tally of 332 runs in just 8 innings with 4 half-centuries against his name. Chris Gayle had been struggling to get going in his first few matches but he finally came good against KKR as he smashed a 31-ball 49 to help the team chase down a 180-plus total.

If there has been a problem for RCB this year, it has to be their bowling. All-rounder Shane Watson has been their brightest star with the ball as he has not only picked wickets but also been quite economical. Apart from him, Yuzvendra Chahal has been pretty impressive as he has grabbed 12 wickets in the season and has conceded runs at under 8 per over.

Chris Jordan has made a decent comeback after some poor performances in his first couple of matches and currently has 5 wickets in his kitty. Most of the other bowlers have struggled to do well for Bangalore and this, in turn, has had a negative impact on their campaign in the 2016 IPL.

If Kings XI Punjab bat first

Predicted score: 170 and above

Murali Vijay, Punjab's new skipper, has been their most successful batsman in the current season with 378 runs at an average of just over 34. The stylish right-hander has been in good form and has scored 4 half-centuries so far. Wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha has been KXIP's second highest run-scorer this IPL but he has played well only in recent matches.

Glenn Maxwell has been far from his best this season and has scored just 179 runs in 11 innings. Former skipper David Miller has also been a big disappointment with 151 runs at an average of just under 19. Hashim Amla, who has replaced Shaun Marsh in the squad, scored a 96 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the previous match but the innings went in vain.

The bowlers have come up with a decent performance in the ongoing IPL with pace bowlers Sandeep Sharma and Mohit Sharma leading the way. While Sandeep has been their top wicket-taker with 13 wickets, Mohit has also been impressive for his 12 wickets. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel has also done pretty well with 11 wickets, which include a hat-trick against Gujarat Lions.

All-rounder Marcus Stoinis has also done a good job as he has picked up 8 wickets in 7 matches with best figures of 4 for 15. None of the other bowlers who have played for KXIP this year have been able to make too much of an impression.

Probable Winners: Royal Challengers Bangalore