April 25, 2023
Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to continue their form as they take on the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 36th game of the Indian Premier League 2023. The Royal Challengers will feel confident after a close win against the Rajasthan Royals in the last game. The Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a big loss against the Chennai Super Kings and must recover from that.
The Kolkata Knight Riders come here with four consecutive losses. Their form with the ball has been miserable, as the bowling attack has failed on most occasions. The Royal Challengers have their two key batsmen in excellent form and play on home soil. It remains to be seen if KKR can win this game and get its campaign back on track.
Virat Kohli will be happy with the performance of his side after a 7-run win against the Rajasthan Royals in the last game. The side has won the last three out of four games, and they will be confident playing at home. The Royal Challengers skipper would like to see his middle order rise in form, as it has been one of the major concerns for the team.
Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli have been in sublime form, with close to 700 runs between them. The pair will need to deliver a good start. Glenn Maxwell has scored runs, but the rest of the middle order has struggled, and they need runs from Shahbaz Ahmed and Mahipal Lomror. Dinesh Karthik, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Suyash Prabhudessai must contribute with the bat down the order.
Mohammad Siraj has bowled well and will look to strike early, sharing the new ball with David Willey. Hasaranga has a lot of experience and will need to bowl well in the middle overs with Maxwell. Vijaykumar Vyshak and Harshal Patel must do well in the supporting act, as their bowlers haven’t been in the best shape.
Top Batsman – Faf du Plessis
Top Bowler – Wanindu Hasaranga
Virat Kohli (c), Faf du Plessis, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Suyash Prabhudessai, David Willey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammed Siraj, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Harshal Patel
Nitish Rana’s side had entered a mid-season crisis. They made a good start but have dropped in form and come here with four consecutive losses. It was a poor show from their bowlers in the last game, as they went down by 49 runs after conceding 235 runs bowling first. The players must get their acts together, and the bowling attack must deliver for the side to win.
The opening combination hasn’t got going in most games, and they need a good start from N Jagadeesan and Sunil Narine. Venkatesh Iyer, Jason Roy, and Nitish Rana have made runs and will need to do well in the middle order. KKR have depth in the batting, and they will bank on the power-hitting trio of Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, and David Weise to do well in the finishing act.
The bowlers have to go to the drawing board, and they need good spells from Umesh Yadav and David Wiese with the new ball. Varun Chakaravarthy, Narine, and Suyash Sharma need to use their variations to trouble RCB’s middle order, which hasn’t been in the best form. Kulwant Khejroliya and Russell must do well in the supporting role for the side to win.
Top Batsman – Venkatesh Iyer
Top Bowler – Varun Chakravarthy
Nitish Rana (c), N Jagadeesan (wk), Jason Roy, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, David Wiese, Kulwant Khejroliya, Suyash Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy Venkatesh Iyer (Impact Player)
The weather is likely to remain cloudy with chances of slight showers. The pitch has not been the typical Bangalore track, as batsmen have found it hard to time the ball. It is likely to offer assistance to the bowlers at the start. The side batting first would be eying a total around the 180-run mark.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, has always been a good hunting ground for the batsmen as a fast outfield and shorter boundaries have aided them. But in overcast conditions, the surface assists the fast bowlers. Smaller boundaries make it easy for the batsmen to hit the ball in the air. Spinners have always had it tough at this venue.
There will be assistance for the fast bowlers under the overcast conditions during the game. The pitch will become easier to bat on as the game progresses. The side winning the toss would likely decide to bowl first on this wicket.
Kolkata Knight Riders are in poor form, and the side lacks confidence. Their top order has been inconsistent, and bowlers have failed to execute their plans. The Royal Challengers Bangalore have their two most important players in great form. They play at home and shall have the crowds behind them. It makes them favorites to win this game.
Royal Challengers Bangalore to win
The 36th game of the Indian Premier League 2023 between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Kolkata Knight Riders will be an exciting match to watch. The Royal Challengers are in good form and will look to continue their winning streak, while the Kolkata Knight Riders are struggling and need to improve their performance. With the assistance for the fast bowlers under overcast conditions, the toss-winning team is likely to bowl first. The Royal Challengers are the favorites to win this game, considering their form, key players, and home advantage. IPL betting sites may have their eyes on this game as well.
