Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
It’s the team I predicted to finish last vs. the team I predicted could win the whole tournament for the first time. Kolkata Knight Riders, who have had a difficult preparation host one of the favourites Royal Challengers Bangalore in an important game for both sides. Life might seem a little different for these two sides, with RCB letting go of Chris Gayle, and KKR losing Gautam Gambhir, who led them to two IPL titles.
Like Ravichandran Aswhin today, Dinesh Karthik, India’s hero in the recent Nidahas Trophy, makes his captaincy debut, leading the KKR side. The lead up to the tournament hasn’t been smooth sailing for Karthik and his men, losing star bowler Mitchell Starc to an injury he picked up during Australia’s recent tour of South Africa. Doubts have also been cast over Chris Lynn and Andre Russell who are under injury clouds, as well as Sunil Narine who was again reported for his action, this time during the recent PSL.
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| Mitchell Starc – big loss for KKR |
So, what can KKR come up with? Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav are two of KKR’s trump cards, and have the potential to keep RCB’s dangerous batting line up quiet. Chawla has dominated both AB de Villiers and Brendon McCullum in the past – he has conceded just 43 runs against de Villiers in eight matches (97.77 SR), and has got him out four times, while McCullum only averages eight against him (80 SR), also dismissed four times. Along with Yadav, who has been so impressive for India recently, KKR can certainly cause RCB trouble.
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For RCB, how will they bounce back after a terrible 2017 IPL campaign, where they finished last? This season, they seem to have addressed the issue of their batting line up being too top-order heavy, with talent right the way through, to complement the amazing talent of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Another positive for RCB is securing Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar, two spinners who can certainly match what KKR have to offer.
This is an excellent test for RCB, who were bowled out for 49 at Eden Gardens last year. Can RCB show that this season will be much better for them?
Key to a Kolkata Knight Riders win:
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| Key player for KKR – Piyush Chawla |
Key to a Royal Challengers Bangalore win:
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| What impact can these two legends have? |
Possible teams:
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| Be sure to catch my Preview of KXIP and DD! |
Stats and Facts:
- Since 2015, 16 out 26 IPL and T20I matches at Eden Gardens have been won by the chasing team. In each of the seven games at Eden Gardens last year, the captain who won the toss chose to bowl. Expect the same to continue.
- Head-to-Head: Matches: 20, KKR: 11, RCB: 9
- At Eden Gardens last year, RCB were knocked over for 49 in 9.4 overs.
- Since IPL 2015, Sunil Narine averages 29.5 against spin, with a SR of 226.9. Could be a middle order weapon?
- If KKR win, it will be their 41st win at home, which will equal Chennai Super Kings’ record for second most wins at home in IPL.
Predictions:
