IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra picks his ideal playing XIs for KKR vs RCB clash

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) sides will play their opening matches of the second leg of the IPL against each other on 20th September 2021. While the RCB side is currently stationed at 3rd place in the IPL points table, the KKR outfit is occupying the 7th position. And, cricketer-turned commentator Aakash Chopra has predicted the playing XIs of both sides for this clash on his YouTube channel.

According to Chopra, youngster Devdutt Padikkal will open the batting for the Bangalore side along with batting legend Virat Kohli. Chopra picked Rajat Patidar to bat at No.3, with batting behemoths Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers coming in at No.4 and No.5 respectively for the Virat Kohli-led outfit.

Chopra picked all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed and Kiwi recruit Kyle Jamieson at No.6 and No.7 respectively. The four bowlers who will take the field for RCB according to Chopra are Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera.

Aakash Chopra picks his KKR playing XI for the encounter against RCB

Aakash Chopra feels that Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana will open the batting for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side. While Rahul Tripathi will occupy the No.3 slot, overseas recruits Eoin Morgan and Andre Russell will come in at No.4 and No.5.

Dinesh Karthik will don the wicket-keeping gloves, while Bangladesh cricket legend Shakib al Hasan will come in at No.7. Chopra picked Lockie Ferguson, Shivam Mavi, and Prasidh Krishna as the three specialist pacers for the clash against RCB. And, the lone specialist spinner who will take the field for the two-time IPL champions is Varun Chakravarthy.

Aakash Chopra’s Predicted RCB Playing XI: Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (C), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Dushmantha Chameera

Aakash Chopra’s Predicted KKR Playing XI: Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (C), Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shakib al Hasan, Lockie Ferguson, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna