IPL 2017: Royal Challengers v Knight Riders, Game 27– Match Result Predictions

Given their form KKR has a slight edge over the hosts.

View : 26.1K

2 Min Read

Manish Pandey and Yusuf Pathan
info
Manish Pandey and Yusuf Pathan. (Photo Source: BCCI)

Kolkata Knight Riders will definitely look to get their campaign back on track when they face Royal Challengers Bangalore in a much-awaited clash at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata today. It will be a mouth-watering contest on our hands and we might witness some intense cricketing action being dished out by two fabulous teams.

On the contrary, Royal Challengers Bangalore haven’t performed to their potential in the tournament so far but their victory in the previous encounter against the Gujarat Lions will surely keep them in good stead ahead of the tough clash against the mighty Knight Riders. KKR had some bowling woes in the previous match with Suresh Raina going all guns blazing but given their variety in the bowling attack, they would like to consider the other day’s performance as a more of an aberration.

KKR have played some wonderful cricket in the tournament so far and looked thoroughly professional in all 3 departments of the game. Their batting unit clicked in the previous match too but it was the lacklustre bowling effort which cost KKR the game. On the other hand, RCB has lost 4 out of the 6 matches they have played so far so a defeat will make their road to playoffs that much difficult.

KKR has some match winners in their ranks and their experiment to go with different openers on all occasions had really worked in their favour. The ploy to go with Sunil Narine in the opening slot paid rich dividends as the southpaw smashed 17 balls 42 including 9 fours and a six. It was power hitting at its very best and the GL bowlers were left scratching their head witnessing such explosive onslaught.

Despite having the best batting line-up in the tournament, RCB has failed to seize the opportunity at crucial phases of the game which has hurt them pretty badly. Their victory in the previous encounter will surely bolster them going into the match but they will be wary about the credentials of the KKR players and will look to get their acts right in a critical encounter.

 

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:                   

Scenario 1: KKR will win the toss

Toss Prediction: KKR choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 175-185

2nd innings Prediction: KKR will win by 4 wickets (with a delivery to spare)

 

Scenario 2: RCB will win the toss

Toss Prediction: RCB choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 185-195

2nd innings Prediction: KKR will win by 3-7 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches –18, KKR Won – 9, RCB Won – 9

Both teams have an even stevens record in IPL with each side winning on 9 occasions. We have witnessed some exceptional matches between these two sides and we might be in for yet another humdinger today evening. It is expected to be a pretty close encounter but given their current form, KKR gets the edge.

 

Team Combination

Royal Challengers Bangalore

AB de Villiers is expected to back for today’s encounter after missing the previous match due to the recurring back problem. He will be back at the expense of Shane Watson who has looked horrendous in the tournament so far. He has performed with neither the bat nor the ball. Samuel Badree is also expected to make a return in place of Travis Head.

The Eden Gardens in Kolkata is expected to be a high-scoring venue and it will be tilted in favour of the hosts.

Predicted XI: Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Kedar Jadhav, Mandeep Singh, Stuart Binny, Pawan Negi, Sreenath Arvind, Samuel Badree, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Milne

Kolkata Knight Riders

Despite the loss in the previous encounter, KKR is unlikely to tinker with their playing combination. Shakib Al Hasan got his first match the other day and given his abilities as an all-round player, the No.1 all-rounder in all 3 formats definitely deserves a chance in today’s clash.

Predicted XI: Sunil Narine, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Woakes, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav

Both teams have won 9 out of 18 matches played between the two sides but given KKR’s form in the season so far, the scales are slightly tilted in favour of the visitors especially with a power packed bowling line-up.

Do let us know your predictions in the comment section below.

 

Note: This is purely a random call taken by the author

Get every cricket updates! Follow Us:

googletelegraminstagramwhatsappyoutubethreadstwitter

Download Our App

For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the IOS and Google Play Store