IPL 2019: Match 35, KKR v RCB, Preview: Dale Steyn-boost for stained Bangalore at the Eden

Dale Steyn's entry might give a respite for the RCB side and settle the rough patch in the pace attack.

Published - 18 Apr 2019, 20:29 IST | Updated - 18 Apr 2019, 20:29 IST

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Making playoffs might be a tough nut to crack for Royal Challengers Bangalore. But, it is still possible for the Virat Kohli’s men, who have only one win in their kitty out of eight matches. It requires a top-notch team effort from now on for all the tough reason for RCB. Now they will have to win all six matches with which they can only have the chance of qualifying for the playoffs.

The team has gone through many twisty tales in the matches played so far. They have tried various team combinations. But, most of the times failed to better their opponent. The slump, the struggle and the slogging they are going through are unparalleled. This will be the third straight season on the trot for RCB if they won’t make playoffs — none of the teams has had such a fate over the years.

They fought tooth and nail against KKR, they were almost there to win against Mumbai Indians at M Chinnaswamy Stadium but failed. Every time they tried giving their best, they failed. Was it due to a lot of dependency on Kohli and De Villiers? No. They have one of the best spinners in the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal. Challengers got Tim Southee in the line-up, who is one best pacer in the business.

To be frank, Challengers coming into the edition 12 of IPL, had found barren lands in the garden of flowers. They have everything they wanted but they couldn’t utilize the resources. Challengers couldn’t find themselves at the orgasmic situations in all the ending. Dale Steyn’s entry might give a respite for the RCB side and settle the rough patch in the pace attack.

Kolkata Knight Riders had facepalm situations in the last three matches as they lost all three which brought them down the points table. But, the Knight Riders are in a far better position than RCB, with eight points winning four of the eight contests. When these two teams met previously, it was a high-octane match as the Bengaluru side scored 200+ and unfortunately, the below-par bowling performances kept Kohli’s men staring down the barrel. This contest is crucial for both the teams. For KKR to prove their mettle and for RCB to get the foothold of the league.

Team Combinations

Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders would go with the same team as they played against Chennai Super Kings. With Lynn being at his best in the previous game, they would open with the same combination. Else, in the middle, DK and Nitish Rana should stand to the billing as it is a crucial moment for them to show their skills. Also if Robin Uthappa comes down a level, others Gill, Rana and DK would get more opportunity to make their case.

Probable XI: Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), Shubman Gill, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Harry Gurney, Prasidh Krishna.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

With the breakthrough bowler — Dale Steyn — hitting the ground, RCB need not worry much about bowling department. So in place of Mohammed Siraj, Steyn gets in while Umesh makes his way back after a two-match gap. The top order has been good but lacks a lot of consistency. Having in-form all-rounders would be a positive for the team.

Probable XI: Parthiv Patel (WK), Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers, Marcus Stoinis, Moeen Ali, Akshdeep Nath, Pawan Negi, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini, Umesh Yadav, Dale Steyn.

Toss Update: KKR won the toss and opted to field.

IPL-2019-PLAYING-XI-KKRvRCB

Focus will be on

Kolkata Knight Riders: Dinesh Karthik

Knight Riders skipper Dinesh Karthik has been swinging his bat in darkness this season. There is no single responsible knock by the Tamil Nadu player. In the 8 matches, he has only scored 111 runs, 50 runs being his best knock. He couldn’t make the most of the chances and now it’s high time for the right-handed batsman to prove his prowess and lead the team from the front.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli

Watching their main man struggle is really depressing for RCB fans. It was a good show by Virat Kohli in RCB’s one and only win this season against KXIP. But, in the previous match, there was a broken link in the opening. Virat returned to the dugout after scoring just 8 runs. Despite, De Villiers breaking the jinx of his bad form, kept ticking the scoreboard but the team failed to capitalize. So it is mandatory for Virat to swing his sword like willow to make an impact on the match.