Both Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have high stakes walking into the match today. While the former would want a win to strengthen their chances of a top two finish, the latter desperately need a couple of wins to increase their difference from the bottom four, with a couple of teams breathing down their neck.
KKR’s camp would be reassured and optimistic, especially after Lockie Ferguson’s heroics in the game and the super-over against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. But what would haunt them would be the last encounter of the two teams this season, when RCB crushed them enroute a 82-run victory. With just 5 games to go and at 10 points, KKR need 3 wins to ensure themselves a berth in the playoffs.
For KKR, Lockie Ferguson’s ability to crank up the pace did a wonderful job as the speedster returned the figures of 2-15 in the game, and then made a mockery of the super over by dismissing Warner on the first ball. He just conceded 2 runs, and had 3 wickets in just 3 balls.
RCB have had a wonderful season so far, and a win today would see them breaking into the top 2, something that MI and DC have not let happen so far. RCB’s hopes of a top 2 finish depend on the number of games they can win, as their net run-rate is dismal when compared to either of the two teams ahead of them.
KKR’s biggest concern this year has been the form and fitness of Andre Russell, who has faced issues with his hamstring on several occasions. Also, the batting powerhouse has failed to turn with the bat. In the last game, a half-fit Andre Russell was forced to bowl the last over, and failed to defend 18.
If Russell is indeed unfit, it remains to be seen if KKR go with the bowling all-rounder in Chris Green or would choose a batting option in Tom Banton or Tim Seifert (when available) and have Nitish Rana as the sixth bowling option if need be. The latter option would, however, put extra pressure on the frontline bowlers with no back-up available.
Virat Kohli’s RCB are unlikely to tinker with their winning combination.
Likely 11s:
KKR: Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (c), Andre Russell/Chris Green/Tom Banton, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Pat Cummins, Shivam Mavi, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy.
RCB: Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Washington Sundar, Chris Morris, Shahbaz Ahmed, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal.
