IPL 2020
KKR is still grappling with Andre Russell’s fitness concerns. © BCCI
There is a sense of optimism surrounding the Kolkata Knight Riders after their Super Over victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, considering they had suffered humiliating defeats against Royal Challenges Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. While Pat Cummins cautioned other teams that they hadn’t played “the perfect game” yet, Lockie Ferguson felt it was important to “park the win” and move on.
With five games remaining, KKR’s next challenge will be to distance himself from the chasing group. They have a two point advantage over the Rajasthan Royals and are four points ahead of SRH and the resurgent Kings XI Punjab. The first step, however, is fraught with scars. The last time KKR faced RCB, Virat Kohli’s men achieved an 82-race victory. It is crucial that the team is also able to ‘park the losses’ if they want to hope for an easy passage to the Eliminator or even the first Qualifier.
To reactivate its campaign, KKR followed the strategy chosen by MI and Delhi Capitals. The addition of a pacemaker with the ability to speed up their pace has helped both sides to get first and second place on the table. Ferguson’s introduction to the eleven helped the team reap immediate rewards, but now they face an even more severe challenge against players like Kohli and AB de Villiers.
RCB, after the game against KKR, will face SRH and Chennai Super Kings. But his other two games are against the toppers. For them, now it’s about making sure they keep racking up wins and expect MI or DC to fail. A result in the top two will not only give them a better chance of winning their first title, but also the confidence they need for the end of the tournament.
What: KKR vs RCB, Game 39, 6:00 p.m. M. Local time, 7:30 p.m. M. IST
Where: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
What to expect:The wicket in Abu Dhabi hasn’t been ideal for hitting, but teams hitting second have had better conditions at their disposal in the last two games of the night. If the CSK-RR contest is a marker to trust, bowlers can look forward to another good day at the office.
Team news:
Kolkata Knight Riders
Andre Russell, half fit, failed to defend 18 in the final against SRH. If the hamstring injury is not too severe, the expert group will continue to bet on the all-rounder to turn things around with the bat. Barring any forced injury-related changes, KKR must keep the same side.
Likely XI: Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (c), Andre Russell / Chris Green, Dinesh Karthik (week), Pat Cummins, Shivam Mavi, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Aaron Finch’s returns are a bit worrisome for the team, but one thing’s for sure: the team will stick with him through thick and thin. He is part of the leadership group and congratulates Devdutt Padikkal.
Probable XI: Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (week), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Washington Sundar, Chris Morris, Shahbaz Ahmed, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal.
What they say:
“It’s frustrating sometimes. You want to get some wickets sooner. That’s cricket, sometimes it doesn’t come. And other days, you play really bad and you get four or five wickets. I’m trying to improve every game, looking at what I’m doing right and what I can improve “- Pat cummins in his middle bowling alley returns this season.
© Cricbuzz
