IPL 5 Preview: Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Match 38
Currently second behind Delhi, KKR will seek to consolidate their position on the points table when they host RCB on Friday, April 27, 2012. This is a match between sides who have both been involved in washed out matches, KKR against DD and RCB against CSK.
KKR’s batsmen have served them well this season, with skipper Gambhir leading the way aided by the likes of Bisla, Tiwary and Das. The absence of form of their big hitters in Pathan and McCullum has been a worrying factor. The New Zealander could find himself replaced by Shakib whose slow left-arm spin will be an additional bonus on the slow Eden Gardens track.
The bowlers have been very consistent with Balaji the stand out performer. Lee has been very disciplined whil Narine has added intrigue with most rival batsmen struggling against his variations.
RCB have also thrived on their batting strength with Gayle regaining his destructive form. De Villers and Dilshan have also been among the runs, ominously for rival bowlers, and with the likes of Kohli, Agarwal and Tiwary due to fire, Friday’s visitors have the potential to bat out any opposition.
The bowling has not been quite as assured and consistent though the turn of form shown by Patel and Appana would have brought a smile to Vettori’s face as it solves the problem of the fifth bowler. There are those who think the team would be well served if Vettori gave way to the in-form Muralitharan. But at the end of the day, RCB have been winning more often than not and they should be happy if their immediate objective (of qualifying for the knock out rounds) is served.
KKR start as favourites in their home conditions but all eyes will be on the skies, given the fact that rains have already played havoc with two games at the venue, with one abandoned and the other curtailed to 12 overs a side.
KKR’s probable eleven: Gambhir, Bisla, Kallis, Tiwary, Pathan, Shakib, Das, Lee, Bhatia, Narine, Balaji.
RCB’s probable eleven: Gayle, Agarwal, Dilshan, Kohli, Tiwary, de Villiers, Vettori, Patel, Appana, Khan, kumar.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Jinxatious is the Chief Editor of SportingAttitude.com
An avid writer, on an eclectic range of subjects, he brings to bear editorial experience garnered with a national newspaper in South-East Asia. He also has sportscasting experience, as a cricket commentator, and his passion for sport extends beyond Cricket, to Football, Tennis, and Olympic Sports.
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
