Two time Indian Premier League winner Kolkata Knight Riders will take on struggling Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 30th match of Vivo IPL 9 on 2nd May at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. It is going to be an exciting and interesting clash as both teams are coming into this match from losing their respective matches other night. Hence one team will definitely get back on the winning way.
Preview
Visitors KKR have faced two back to back losses against Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians in the previous games and will definitely look to register 5th win in the ninth edition of tournament on Monday. Kolkata didn’t hope that DD would score 186 runs after losing two wickets in the first over. Hence somewhere in the bowling department, Knight Riders lacked and helped opposition to post big total.
Middle order needs to fire for Kolkata Knight Riders otherwise they will go down in the points table. Currently KKR have won 4 matches played out seven and are on the 3rd position with 8 points. So they will be eyeing to get win today and earn those two crucial points to get second spot in the table.
Colin Munro is expected to make comeback in the playing XI for Kolkata team and Brad Hogg set to be dropped. Bangalore’s pitch doesn’t suit much to bowlers hence we can expect a batting track again on which Colin Munro can be a good choice for Gambhir & Company.
On the other hand, home team will be looking to see to get winning momentum in the tournament. Chris Gayle has completed parenting duties and now has joined the RCB club again. He will be opening with Virat Kohli today which is followed by AB De Villiers on number 3. The actual problem with Royal Challengers is their bowling and team management has been failing to get good bowlers from the beginning of Indian Premier League. RCB never had good bowlers which has been causing them every season.
Predicted Playing XI
RCB
Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli (Captain), AB de Villiers, KL Rahul, Shane Watson, Mandeep Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Chris Jordan, Abu Nechim, Iqbal Abdulla.
KKR
Gautam Gambhir (Captain), Robin Uthappa, Suryakumar Yadav, Colin Munro, Yusuf Pathan, Sheldon Jackson, Andre Russell, Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Morne Morkel.
Predictions
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be favorites to win as per our predictions and they have got 53 percent winning chances over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).