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IPL 2018 – Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders Preview
When? Sunday 29th April, 15:30 (UK)
Where? M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
Weather? 26-32c and partly cloudy with 40% humidity
What channel is it on? Sky Sports Cricket
Where can I stream the match? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go
Are tickets still available? https://in.bookmyshow.com/sports/cricket/t20-premier-league
HEAD-TO-HEAD: All-time meetings: Royal Challengers Bangalore W9, Kolkata Knight Riders W12
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
Coach: Daniel Vettori
Captain: Virat Kohli
- RCB’s inconsistent form has continued and they come off a loss to the rampant outfit of the Chennai Super Kings in a thrilling match. After setting a very tough target of 205, the Bangalore bowlers couldn’t get the job done going down by five wickets with two balls to spare. AB de Villiers (68) and Quinton de Kock (53) both shone with the bat in an encouraging sign for RCB.
- Currently second in the overall runs scored table with 280, AB de Villiers is having yet another stellar tournament. Along with his 280 runs, De Villiers has scored the most fifties of all players (3) and has the equal highest amount of sixes scored for the tournament with 23.
- Corey Anderson’s continued lack of impact may see him miss out next match with Brendon McCullum still yet to return after being dropped. Anderson has only taken three wickets and his economy rate is extremely high at 13.26, his batting has also been poor and has seen him score just the 15 runs. Chris Woakes was a surprise admission from the XI against Chennai and may also see his way back into the team.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
Coach: Jacques Kallis
Captain: Dinesh Karthik
- Kolkata were stunned by the lowly Delhi Daredevils as KKR struggled from the start and allowed Delhi to score the largest total of IPL 2018 conceding 219 runs. In the chase, KKR never looked likely and fell well short posting just 164 so they are desperate to respond here.
- The bowling was the major issue for KKR as only two bowlers went at under 10 runs per over in what was a disastrous display by such an experienced unit. Coach Jaques Kallis will be hoping this was a one-off occurrence as KKR look to cement a finals’ berth.
- Tom Curran was left out for the match against Delhi but could come in to replace Mitch Johnson or Shivam Mavi who were both extremely expensive against the Daredevils and there will surely be one or two changes to the line-up.
PREDICTION
Kolkata’s shock loss to Delhi has caused a logjam in the middle of the table. KKR have played one extra match and are now level on points with Rajasthan and just two points in front of RCB. Kolkata have continued to be inconsistent throughout the tournament and we have seen throughout this tournament that you cannot take any team for granted. RCB have shown they have the talent to cause headaches for opposition even if they haven’t got the wins on the board. With an opportunity to get back into finals contention, the experience and firepower of Bangalore will need to be on show against a Kolkata outfit who will be desperate to rectify the loss against Delhi. Kolkata prevailed in the first meeting between these two teams and the current form of both teams makes this almost impossible to pick.
