Virat Kohli proved that he still has “a purpose” with a brilliant inning that helped finish the chase for RCB. His leadership and the heroics of the lower order masked the weaknesses that RCB has shown so far. Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, and Cameron Green lack runs. This is not the best time for an important match against KKR, where spin will play a significant role. RCB needs their overseas players to fire, or else they will struggle to score freely. Rajat Patidar at the top also looks completely out of form, and RCB will have to judge whether he is a liability in a crucial position. RCB’s bowling lineup is good but not the best. Mohammed Siraj hasn’t replicated his success with the white ball for India in the IPL. Additionally, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kyle Jamieson can be expensive when they are off their game. Glenn Maxwell, Chris Green, and Mayank Dagar make up the rest of the bowling group.
Kolkata Knight Riders were rescued from a tough spot by the incredibly energetic Andre Russell. Coming into play when KKR was struggling for runs, he smashed the ball all around the park and ultimately steered them to a victorious result. Ramandeep Singh and Phil Salt also looked quite impressive during their cameos, but players like Sunil Narine, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, and Nitish Rana certainly did not. The two-bouncer rule in this IPL can complicate life for KKR’s batting lineup, as many of its players are not very comfortable against short-pitched bowling. The depth of the squad is undoubtedly decent on paper, but how it translates onto the field is another question. Leading the bowling lineup is Mitchell Starc, who had a rather unsuccessful outing in the previous match. Starc may not be at the peak of his career as a white-ball force, but he still remains a formidable bowler who can be effective in all phases of the game. Sunil Narine and Harshith Rana have emerged as standout bowlers. In the past, Narine has found success against Kohli and du Plessis. This match could be crucial in determining the outcome.
