The Purple Army, Kolkata Knight Riders, are prepping up for their big match against the table-toppers, Royal Challengers Bangalore at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Both the teams will play their third fixture on Sunday, April 18. It will be the first doubleheader of the season. Starting the 14t edition of the IPL with a bang, Virat Kohli’s side has not suffered any defeat yet.
In KKR’s last encounter against the title-defenders Mumbai Indians, it was envisaged that Eoin Morgan’s team would romp home without any damage. But then, not so fancy destruction had happened, and the MI won the monopoly.
Chasing has not been fashionable in Chennai. The spinners emerge more dangerous as the hours pass. The spinners need to spin a web around the batters to keep the match in the bag. Both the teams have top-class spinners; RCB have Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar, while KKR have Harbhajan Singh and Prasidh Krishna. For KKR, pacer Pat Cummins has been their trump card.
Coming to batting, Glenn Maxwell has played some match-winning knocks for RCB. While KKR got a significant start from the openers, but no one from the middle order has contributed much.
IPL 2021: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from 3:30 PM IST
The number of games played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders are 27. Out of these, Virat Kohli & Co have won 12 matches while KKR bagged the remaining 15. The teams have clashed against each other at neutral venues six times. RCB won four of the six games, and KKR sealed the victory twice. In their last three encounters, Bangalore have outclassed KKR each time.
Looking at the current forms, RCB have sailed smoothly in their two matches while KKR thrashed SRH in the first game but got derailed in their second game against Mumbai Indians. After the humiliating loss to Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders’ self-esteem might be hitting the rock bottom. Taking into account all the points, RCB will start the match as the favourites.
Sunday can have another round of suspense awaiting us. Kolkata Knight Riders have won the title twice, RCB has not lifted the cup yet. But the way Royal Challengers Bangalore are setting the bar high, it will be interesting to see their match against Kolkata.