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IPL 2021 Eliminator: RCB vs KKR Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

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Last Updated on 3 weeks by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2021 Eliminator: RCB vs KKR Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BLR vs KKR Dream11 Prediction Today | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report

Things have been different for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021. The addition of Glenn Maxwell, which looked a risk for such a big price at the auction, has paid significant dividends as he has helped RCB reduce their reliance on the great AB de Villiers. Also, their bowling attack, led by Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal, has had a sense of reliability compared to years gone by.

But now these key factors will be put to the ultimate test. Can RCB – a franchise boasting the biggest and best names over the years – finally produce in the pressure moments? Their great victory over Delhi Capitals a few days ago can hold them in good stead after a disappointing defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad cost them a top two finish. Here, they will be out to ensure that missing the top two is no issue as a place in Qualifier 2 vs Delhi is up for grabs.

But it won’t be easy. Kolkata Knight Riders have been outstanding in phase two, rising from the depths of second-last to fourth spot. Remember, they blew RCB away at the start of the UAE leg, rolling them for just 92 in a superb bowling performance. Also, KKR blew Rajasthan Royals a few days back for another sub-100 total, so if they can find wickets in the powerplay, they have the confidence and form to build on it.

A lot may also depend on Andre Russell’s availability. He has a superb record against RCB, and his contributions at the death with both bat and ball could prove crucial on a slow Sharjah track. All to play for.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

  • Glenn Maxwell has been simply outstanding. The Australian has scored four half-centuries in his last five matches, which could have easily been five had it not been for a run out against SRH.
  • Maxwell slammed 78 off 49 balls vs KKR earlier in IPL 2021, before falling for just 7 against them in his first match of the UAE leg. Also, Maxwell enjoys batting at Sharjah, with three half-centuries in five games including 57 in his last match on this ground.
  • Fans are waiting for Virat Kohli to hit top form. The RCB skipper has scored just 59 runs in his last four innings, and made just the twin scores of 5 vs KKR in the league stage.
  • No player has more runs than Virat in RCB-KKR matches, with 735 in 25 innings at an average of 35.00 and strike rate of 128.72.
  • What a superb knock it was by Srikar Bharat against Delhi Capitals (78* off 52 balls). Now RCB can focus on playing him in his preferred position of number three in a big game.
  • AB de Villiers is still seeking his best form in the UAE leg. The great batsman has a strike rate of 163.38 in 18 innings for RCB vs KKR (464 runs, avg. 35.69). He smashed 76* off 34 balls against KKR at Chennai earlier this season.
  • What a season Harshal Patel is having. His 30 wickets are the most ever by an Indian bowler in an IPL season, and he will be a factor on the slow Sharjah surface. He took 2/17 vs KKR on the slow Chennai pitch earlier in IPL 2021.
  • Yuzvendra Chahal took just four wickets in the first seven matches of IPL 2021. In the UAE leg, Chahal has been superb, taking 12 wickets in seven matches with at least one scalp in each game.
  • Chahal has taken 17 wickets in 16 games for RCB vs KKR at an average of 26. He enjoys bowling at Sharjah, with figures of 1/26 and 3/29 this season.

Kolkata Knight Riders:

  • Shubman Gill comes into this match on the back of two half-centuries. Encouragingly, he scored his last half-century whilst batting first, which is usually difficult for Gill (average of 26.1 compared to 39.1 batting second).
  • Gill scored 48 in his last outing vs RCB after KKR rolled them for 92. He will be aiming to continue to improve his record vs RCB that reads: 7 inns, 121 runs, avg. 24.20, SR 134.44.
  • Venkatesh Iyer has been key to KKR’s rise this season (7 inns, 239 runs, avg. 39.83, SR 129.18). He struck 41* on IPL debut vs RCB earlier this season.
  • Rahul Tripathi has also been key to KKR’s form even though he hasn’t scored big runs in his last four matches (9, 34, 7, 21). He has scored 377 runs in 13 innings this season at an average of 31.41 and strike rate of 142.80.
  • Tripathi has a poor record for KKR vs RCB (3 inns, 42 runs), but has a fine career record against them in IPL (8 inns, 238 runs, avg. 47.60, SR 129.35).
  • Nitish Rana has a solid record for KKR vs RCB: 7 inns, 198 runs, avg. 39.60, SR 152.31. He has made a double-figure score in each of his last five matches (37*, 36*, 31, 25, 12), so will be looking to build on that today if he gets the opportunity.
  • Andre Russell’s fitness could be a key factor in deciding today’s result. He has an unbelievable record vs RCB, with 339 runs at an average of 48.43 and strike rate of 215.92. He also has 10 wickets in 11 matches, including 3/9 earlier this season where he dismissed AB de Villiers with a great yorker first ball.
  • Varun Chakravarthy was player of the match vs RCB in the UAE leg (3/13). He has five wickets in four matches against them at an average of 21. Interestingly, though, Chakravarthy has taken just three wickets in five matches at Sharjah, striking every 40 balls.
  • Lockie Ferguson has been brilliant in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. He has taken 10 wickets in five matches, including 2/24 vs RCB. Genuine wicket-taker. As is Shivam Mavi on this ground, after his haul of 4/21 vs RR.

Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 29, RCB 13, KKR 16.
  • Both teams won a game against each other this season. The latest was a thumping win for KKR by nine wickets, after RCB won the previous four matches.
  • Virat Kohli has scored just 42 runs off 47 deliveries vs spin in the UAE leg. He hasn’t been dismissed by spin in this period, but KKR could look to employ spin to keep the RCB skipper quiet.
  • In contrast, Glenn Maxwell has smashed 101 runs off 63 balls vs spin in the middle overs in the UAE leg.
  • Interestingly, the team who has scored more in the powerplay has gone on to win each match at Sharjah this season. Scoring against the new ball will be key.

Possible Playing 11

Royal Challengers: 1. Virat Kohli (c), 2. Devdutt Padikkal, 3. KS Bharat (wk), 4. Glenn Maxwell, 5. AB de Villiers, 6. Dan Christian, 7. Shahbaz Ahmed, 8. George Garton/Wanindu Hasaranga, 9. Harshal Patel, 10. Mohammed Siraj, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal

Kolkata Knight Riders: 1. Shubman Gill, 2. Venkatesh Iyer, 3. Nitish Rana, 4. Rahul Tripathi, 5. Dinesh Karthik (wk), 6. Eoin Morgan (c), 7. Andre Russell/Shakib Al Hasan, 8. Sunil Narine, 9. Lockie Ferguson, 10. Varun Chakravarthy, 11. Shivam Mavi

Sharjah Pitch Report and Weather

Slow and sluggish is the narrative at Sharjah this season. The fact that all teams who scored more in the powerplay went on to win their matches at Sharjah suggests the scoring gets really tough once the ball gets older.

The average first innings score on this ground this season is 137, with the chasing team winning five of the eight matches. Any score in the region of 150-160 should be a tough chase.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

IPL 2021 Eliminator: RCB vs KKR Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BLR vs KKR Dream11 Prediction Today | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report
IPL 2021 Eliminator: RCB vs KKR Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

IPL 2021 Eliminator: RCB vs KKR Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BLR vs KKR Dream11 Prediction Today | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report
IPL 2021 Eliminator: RCB vs KKR Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

  • Wicket-keepers: KS Bharat
  • Batsmen: Shubman Gill, AB de Villiers
  • All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Andre Russell
  • Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Lockie Ferguson

Match Prediction

This one has the makings to be close like last night’s match. RCB start as favourites, but don’t discount KKR especially if they can restrict RCB to around the 130-140 mark.

Charbel Coorey
Charbel Cooreyhttps://cricblog.net
Charbel is the owner & founder of cricblog.net, based in Sydney, Australia. He started the website to fulfill his love for the game of cricket. Charbel has been featured on other publications including OP India, Times of India, and The Roar, among others. He is also a keen fantasy sports player. Charbel has also had the privilege of interviewing cricketers on the CricBlog TV YouTube channel, including James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Andrew Tye, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Saurabh Netravalkar: https://www.youtube.com/@cricblogtv For any story tips or questions, you can contact Charbel at charbelcoorey@cricblog.net.

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