RCB will collide with KKR on Friday [IPL.com]
In what has been a historically spicy fixture, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders will lock horns against each other at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on Friday.
After thrillers in their last games where the heroics of their finishers, Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik, respectively, decided their fate, both the teams would like to continue with the winning momentum in Bengaluru.
RCB vs KKR: Team Previews
Team | RCB | KKR |
---|---|---|
Opening | 9 | 6 |
Middle Order | 8 | 9 |
Batting depth | 7 | 9 |
Pace bowling | 8 | 7 |
Spin bowling | 6 | 8 |
Overall | 7.6 | 7.8 |
* Ratings are given out of 10
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB, who hosted Punjab Kings in their last encounter, started well with the ball against the travellers.
However, Alzarri Joseph failed to impress again, while the rest of their bowling attack looked in some rhythm. Despite Shashank Singh’s late cameo, they managed to squeeze PBKS’ scoring rate well.
While chasing 177, the middle order looked substandard again. Virat Kohli, stood at an end and kept them in the match, scoring 77 (49) before getting out.
After a couple of quick wickets, Dinesh Karthik and impact-sub Mahipal Lomror kept their calm and won them the game, stitching a 48-run partnership in 18 balls. So, RCB would like their middle order to take some responsibility in this match.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Andre Russell will play a key role for KKR [AP]
Just like RCB, Kolkata Knight Riders' middle order also had a poor outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens.
Phil Salt, making his debut for KKR, scored a crucial 54(40) when the wickets kept falling at one end. After being 51/4, Ramandeep Singh stood with Salt for a fifty-run stand and scored 35 (17) before Rinku Singh and Andre Russell ensured a fitting finish for the side.
Although, while defending 208, KKR conceded a flying start to SRH, their proven match-winner, Sunil Narine consolidated in the middle overs and just conceded 19 in his four back to back four overs.
Young seamer Harshit Rana managed to hold his nerves and got the wickets of both Shahbaz and Klaasen in a span of three balls, taking KKR over the line.
KKR’s middle order, much like their rivals', will have to pull their socks up and get into the groove. Kolkata will also like their marquee signing, Mitchell Starc to do much better than what he did in the previous game.
RCB vs KKR: Match Details and Live Streaming
Information | Details |
---|---|
Date & Time | March 29, 19.30 IST |
Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
Live streaming | Star Sports Network and Jio Cinema app |
RCB vs KKR: Bengaluru Pitch Report
While the Bengaluru wicket traditionally offers a lot to the batters, due to its flat nature, the pitch in their previous game was a bit different. It wasn’t a very easy wicket to bat on and the bowlers had a bit of purchase in it.
A similar wicket can be expected in this game which will make things interesting, considering the likes of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy in the travelling side.
RCB vs KKR: Probable XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Cameron Green, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Anuj Rawat (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Karn Sharma, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal.
Impact players: Mahipal Lomror, Suyash Prabhudessai, Swapnil Singh, Vyshal Vijaykumar, Akash Deep.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Phil Salt (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Mitchell Starc, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy
Impact players: Suyash Sharma, Vaibhav Arora, Angkrish Raghuvnshi, Manish Pandey, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
RCB vs KKR: Fantoss Fantasy Tips
Roles | Players |
---|---|
Wicket Keepers | Phil Salt, Dinesh Karthik |
Batters | Virat Kohli, Rinku Singh, Faf du Plessis |
All Rounders | Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell, Sunil Narine |
Bowlers | Varun Chakravarthy, Alzarri Joseph, Harshit Rana |
Captain | Andre Russell |
Vice Captain | Glenn Maxwell |
RCB v KKR: Winner Prediction
Following this season’s trend of home teams having an upper hand in the contest and how they played their last games, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the likely winners of this contest.