Kings Eleven Punjab (KXIP) will lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a do or die game for the KL Rahul-led team in Match 31 of the Indian Premier League Season 13 (IPL 13) later on Thursday evening at the Sharjah Cricket Ground in Sharjah (UAE)

The KXIP vs RCB IPL 2020 is scheduled to commence at 3:30 pm (IST) with the toss slated at 3:00 pm (IST).

Bottom Placed Punjab Need To Win Against RCB To Keep Campaign Alive In Season 13 

Languishing at the bottom of the table, KXIP need nothing short of a win to keep their campaign alive in the tournament. With just one win in their seven games, Punjab need to win almost all their games to give themselves a glimmer of a hope to qualify for the play-offs.

Despite having two of the leading run scorers in the tournament in their ever consistent openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, Punjab has ended up on the losing side by squandering away match winning positions in quite a few of their nail biting encounters.

Apart from Rahul-Agarwal's opening exploits up the order and Pooran's blazing cameos, Punjab don't have much to show with their middle order failing repeatedly in the first half of the tournament.

With Glen Maxwell having a nightmarish with the willow, Windies explosive opener Chris Gayle is all set to play his first game of the season for the 'Kings'.

Punjab's bowling has also been lackluster with the exception of their seamer Mohammad Shami and leg spin sensation Ravi Bishnoi. They would need to get their act together against a power-packed RCB batting unit.

Third Placed RCB Would Eye Win To Further Bolster Chances Of Making It To Playoffs

Royal Challengers Bangalore who are comfortably positioned at the third spot with 10 points would eye a win to further boost their chances of qualifying in the play-offs.

RCB's batting looks more assured and compact with skipper Virat Kohli getting back among the runs for the Bangalore-based franchise. The 'Red and Black' Brigade look solid with openers Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal and AB De Villiers delivering the goods consistently with willow .

South African all-rounder Chris Morris has added both balance and depth to the RCB squad. The South African seamer has been lethal with the new ball and has also ..Meanwhile, Isuru Udana continues to outfox batsmen with his subtle variations. Navdeep Saini is an outright strike weapon with his menacing pace and accuracy.

RCB's biggest weapon in their bowling armoury has been the red hot form of ace leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and mystery spinner Washington Sundar, who have cast a web around the opposition all through the season.

Here are the full squads for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab:

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli (captain), AB de Villiers (wicket-keeper), Parthiv Patel, Aaron Finch, Josh Philippe, Chris Morris, Moeen Ali, Mohammed Siraj, Shahbaz Ahmed, Devdutt Padikkal, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini, Dale Steyn, Pawan Negi, Isuru Udana, Shivam Dube, Umesh Yadav, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Washington Sundar, Pavan Deshpande, Adam Zampa

Kings XI Punjab: Lokesh Rahul (Captain), Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel, Mandeep Singh, James Neesham, Tajinder Singh, Chris Jordan, Karun Nair, Deepak Hooda, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sarfaraz Khan, Sheldon Cottrell, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami, Darshan Nalkande, Nicholas Pooran (wicket-keeper), Chris Gayle, Murugan Ashwin, Jagadeesha Suchith, Krishnappa Gowtham, Hardus Viljoen, Simran Singh