After the nail-biting victory against SRH on the 23rd, KKR’s bandwagon has now reached Bengaluru to face off against arch rivals RCB. This contest has always been a blockbuster and the upcoming game promises nothing but entertainment. Two heavyweight sides coming with wins in their last games will be looking to carry forward the winning momentum.
HEAD TO HEAD:
In the 32 games that RCB and KKR have played against each other, KKR have the wood over RCB with a 18-14 record. These games include some of the most historic moments in IPL history. Be it the RCB 49 all out or the highest score ever in the powerplay, this contest has given it all. Last season, KKR were able to defeat RCB twice and would definitely have that confidence in their mind about winning tomorrow’s game as well.
PITCH AND GROUND CONDITIONS:
Traditionally, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium has always been a batting paradise where huge totals have been made and chased down as well. Although, in the last couple of years, Bengaluru has more to offer for the fast bowlers with the grass left on the pitch and the extra bounce. However, one can expect nothing but a six-hitting fest tomorrow with the likes of Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell and many more on show.
KEY STATS TO REMEMBER:
• KKR have won 7 out of the 11 matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against RCB
• Sunil Narine has picked up the most wickets for KKR vs RCB - 23 wickets
• The lowest score in the history of IPL came at this venue in 2017 when KKR bowled RCB out for 49 runs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Andre Russell:
One can never take an eye off Andre Russell when he comes to Bangalore. His heroics of 2019 are still fresh in the mind of every KKR fan, when the big man scored a miraculous knock of 48 of just 12 balls taking KKR home. After his incredible knock just the other night, all eyes will be on Dre-Russ to smash everything out the ground.
Ramandeep Singh:
After a successful KKR debut against SRH the other night, Ramandeep Singh has put everyone on notice. The young man blazing innings of 35, when the team was under pressure and needed something special. His striking against spin was something everyone was impressed with and if the opportunity knocks his door tomorrow, be rest assured Raman will send the balls to orbit.
Harshit Rana:
The hero of the last game for KKR, Harshit will have a lot of spectators looking at him for another fiery performance. In an uphill task of defending just 13 of 6, Harshit held his nerve and came up as the winner. A similar performance would be required tomorrow night against a strong RCB batting line-up and Harshit will most certainly be up for the challenge.
IMPORTANT MATCH-UPS
Sunil Narine vs Virat Kohli
A battle that everyone looks forward to always, when two of the best come up against each other. Narine has the wood over Kohli as the Mamba King has gotten Kohli 4 times and given away just 106. However, Virat is the highest run-getter against KKR, so this battle becomes very important.
Rinku Singh vs Yash Dayal
The last time Rinku faced Yash Dayal, he smashed him for 5 sixes in an over which went on to become history and took Rinku to the absolute next level. A year after that assault in Ahmedabad, both individuals come up face-to-face tomorrow. Yash has grown as a bowler after that experience and has a new home at RCB now while Rinku comes in with international experience and some blazing form. This promises to be one hell of a contest.
Thus, a battle of the big guns is upon us and a contest which many people will be looking forward to. A fiery KKR unit. A Powerful RCB squad. Chinnaswamy Stadium. It’s EL PRIMERO TIME!
