Kohli To Be Dismissed By Narine, Siraj To Get Russell? 5 Player Battles For RCB vs KKR

RCB will face KKR on Friday [IPL.com]

The tenth group-stage match of the ongoing Indian Premier League season will witness a high-voltage clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the latter's home turf, M Chinnaswamy Stadium. 

Both teams are high on confidence following a stellar show in their respective previous fixtures. While RCB handed a four-wicket defeat to PBKS, KKR secured a narrow four-run win over SRH at the iconic Eden Gardens. 

Meanwhile, there are several on-field contests which can determine the game's outcome. So, as KKR and RCB gear up for an exciting face-off, let's analyse and find out five player battles to watch out for in this match. 

Virat Kohli vs Sunil Narine

Narine castled Kohli in IPL 2023 [IPL.com]

Legendary Indian batter Virat Kohli played a pivotal role for RCB in the last game, contributing significantly to their successful run-chase with a quick-fire 49-ball 77. 

However, the talismanic right-hander could find it tough to succeed against ace KKR spinner Sunil Narine, who has dismissed him four times in T20s. 

Virat Kohli vs Sunil Narine (in T20s)

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Andre Russell vs Mohammed Siraj

Andre Russell could be a headache for RCB [AP]

Swashbuckling West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell had a memorable game against SRH, helping his side post a mammoth total through a blistering 25-ball 64. 

However, RCB could use their premier pacer, Mohammed Siraj, to counter Russell, as he has impressive numbers against the Caribbean batting monster. 

Andre Russell vs Mohammed Siraj (In T20s)

Glenn Maxwell vs Varun Chakravarthy

Maxwell has a horrible record vs Chakravarthy [IPL.com]

Explosive Australian batter Glenn Maxwell has had a torrid start to his IPL 2024 campaign, recording low scores in his first two outings. 

RCB's go-to man in the middle overs, Maxwell, might sustain his rough patch, given his vulnerability against KKR's wily tweaker, Varun Chakravarthy. 

Glenn Maxwell vs Varun Chakravarthy (in T20s)

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Shreyas Iyer vs Alzarri Joseph

Iyer hasn't had a great season so far [X.com]

West Indies speedster Alzarri Joseph, who bagged a whopping 11.5Cr-contract with RCB, has blown hot and cold in the IPL 2024. 

But given his tendency to hit the deck hard at a searing pace, Joseph can be an effective weapon against KKR captain Shreyas Iyer, who generally struggles against hard-length body-line bowling. Statistically, Joseph has impressive numbers against Iyer, as shown below. 

Shreyas Iyer vs Alzarri Joseph (in white-ball cricket)

Faf du Plessis vs Andre Russell

Russell has got Faf out 4 times [AP]

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis has been in scintillating form recently, providing his team with brisk starts in the IPL. 

The veteran opener has an interesting match-up against prominent KKR allrounder Andre Russell, who has dismissed him four times, while conceding 86 runs in only 51 balls. 

Faf du Plessis vs Andre Russell (in shortest format)

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