In the 58th encounter of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) season, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) come face-to-face in a must-win clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 9 scheduled to be held at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. In the IPL 2024 season, no team has officially been eliminated at the final leg of the league stage. PBKS and RCB are two teams that can only get as far as 14 points, meaning that many other results need to go their way for qualification. They face off in a virtual elimination game at Dharamsala. The loser will join Mumbai Indians on the points table that can only get as far as 12 points. While top-order failures cost Punjab Kings in most games, death bowling was also a concern in the other losses.

Punjab has been experiencing a poor run, losing seven out of their 11 matches. However, Sam Curran and his team registered two consecutive away wins against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. However, they lost their previous game against Chennai Super Kings in Dharamsala. With decent batting performances from Chennai Super Kings, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad (32) and Daryl Mitchell (30) at the top and a 43-run knock from Ravindra Jadeja, the defending champions ended their innings at 167/9. Harshal Patel and Rahul Chahar shared six wickets between them. Chasing a below-par total, Punjab batters couldn't build a match-winning partnership in the middle to take their side over the line. Prabhsimran Singh (30) and Shashank Singh (27) were the only performers with the bat. All credit goes to Thalapathy Jadeja's all-round effort as CSK clinched their sixth victory of the IPL 2024 season.

Meanwhile, RCB won only one out of their first eight games but have managed to win three games on the bounce against Sunrisers Hyderabad and twice against Gujarat Titans. The Faf du Plessis and Co. currently sit at the 7th position in the points table with just 8 points from 11 matches. With 3 more league games left in this IPL season, RCB will have to win all their remaining matches and hope that other results also go their way as they look to sneak into the IPL 2024 playoffs. Star batter Virat Kohli has yet another terrific IPL season, scoring 542 runs from 11 matches at an average of 67.75 and a strike rate of 148.08. He has already hit four half-centuries and a century. Skipper Faf du Plessis has been seen back at his regular best. Star England batter Will Jacks, who smashed a century against Gujarat Titans, has also shown promise. However, allrounder Glenn Maxwell's form has been a talking point in this IPL season. Talking about the fast bowling unit, Mohammed Siraj has been far from his best. In ten matches, Siraj has taken just eight wickets. Yash Dayal, who was picked up in the IPL 2024 auction, has performed slightly better, with ten wickets in ten games. RCB bowlers will have an important role to play on Thursday.

PBKS vs RCB IPL 2024: Dharamsala Pitch Report

The HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala is renowned for its pace and bounce, making it a preferred venue for fast bowlers. Ahead of the IPL 2024 season, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium installed a new hybrid pitch, the first of its kind in India. The team that wins the toss at this venue will likely choose to bowl first, taking advantage of the dew and assistance for the pacers with the new ball. We can expect a better batting surface tomorrow.

Predicted Punjab Kings Playing XI

Punjab Kings' regular captain Shikhar Dhawan's availability remains uncertain due to an injury, which means Sam Curran will continue to lead the team again. PBKS had won two consecutive matches before losing their previous game against Chennai Super Kings. They are unlikely to change their line-up at this crucial stage of the IPL 2024 season.

PBKS Playing XI

Jonny Bairstow, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Sam Curran (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh. [Impact sub: Prabhsimran Singh].

Sam Curran (C), Harshal Patel, Liam Livingstone, Kagiso Rabada, Shikhar Dhawan, Rilee Rossouw, Jonny Bairstow, Rahul Chahar, Chris Woakes, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis, Prabhsimran Singh, Rishi Dhawan, Sikandar Raza, Harpreet Singh, Tanay Thyagarajan, Atharva Taide, Ashutosh Sharma, Vidwath Kaverappa, Vishwanath Singh, Shivam Singh, Prince Choudhary, Shashank Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Rilee Rossouw.

Predicted Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing XI

Despite his poor performance, the Royal Challengers included Glenn Maxwell in their playing XI. They're still mathematically in contention for a playoff spot despite being in 7th position on the points table. RCB is currently on a three-match winning streak and will likely keep the same playing XI unless faced with a last-minute injury.

RCB Playing XI

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (C), Glenn Maxwell, Will Jacks, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Karn Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Yash Dayal, Vijaykumar Vysakh, Mohammed Siraj. [Impact sub: Rajat Patidar].

Faf du Plessis (C), Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Himanshu Sharma, Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Reece Topley, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Mayank Dagar, Alzarri Joseph, Suyash Prabhudessai, Manoj Bhandage, Saurav Chauhan, Rajan Kumar.