KKR vs RCB: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Stats, Pitch Report and more for Dream11 IPL, Match 39

Rising well on the occasion this year, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have put themselves in some serious contention for the Playoffs.

Published - 20 Oct 2020, 20:32 IST | Updated - 20 Oct 2020, 20:32 IST

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A week is a long time in franchise-based cricket. One could be sailing at the top at the start and could land in all sorts of trouble by the week comes to its end. It has been that kind of a week for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Highs and lows, chopping and changing. An alteration in the top brass of the team after nine games was sufficient to display the pressure they were under. And their sporadic run this year could have done nothing but put the team and management under pressure.

But for the good, they are enveloped with optimism after their Super Over win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their last encounter and have snapped a streak of two losses with that result. Boosted by the addition of Lockie Ferguson – who came up with sensational figures of 3 for 15 and 2 for 2 from three balls in Super Over, KKR must be itching to clinch the one against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), on Wednesday, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

RCB, on the other hand, have no lack of motivation having 12 points in nine games. In this game, they are coming off a spectacular victory over the Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets, courtesy of another AB de Villiers’ masterclass, whose 22-ball 55-run blitzkrieg sailed his team across the line with two balls to spare despite struggling in the middle-

overs.If the past performances are of any psychological advantage, the RCB unit can take more heart than their opponents in this game, whom they mercilessly thrashed by 82 runs in the reverse fixtures by the grace incredible assault of 73 not out from 33 balls from the willow of the same gentleman mentioned above.

Rising well on the occasion this year, the Challengers have put themselves in some serious contention for the Playoffs. Coming to face them, KKR would want to not only win to avenge the humiliating defeat in their last meeting, but to also gain the two crucial points to cement their shaky spot in the table.

Pitch and conditions

The track at Abu Dhabi has been heavily assisting the pacers and has not really been an ideal track for free stroke-making. However, the teams batting second have had better conditions to exploit in the recent past. If the last couple of encounters are any indicators, the bowlers can take a sigh of relief and sit back with ease.

Playing Combinations for KKR vs RCB

Kolkata Knight Riders

Shubman Gill’s run at the top has been quite impressive, though not as impactful as he would have liked. Rahul Tripathi, his partner, would expect that he would not face any further interference in his batting position. The most painful concern for the team has been the tanking form of Andre Russell, who has failed to make an impact with both bat and ball. Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik have lacked consistency, although they struck well with the bat in the last game.

KKR might be thinking that they missed a trick by not including Lockie Ferguson earlier, however, his entry seems to be for the good. Kuldeep Yadav, after being benched for eight matches, looked in fine touch with their regular spinner Varun Chakravarthy. It remains to be seen whether Sunil Narine gets a game or not.

Probable XI- Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Pat Cummins, Shivam Mavi, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Aaron Finch has slightly been a curious case this year as he has not been able to strike as per his reputation. Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli have been amongst the runs, although their strike rate have often not been to the team’s liking.

The magician AB de Villiers has been on fire and is winning matches for his team single-handedly, whereas his compatriot Chris Morris has been utterly sensational ever since his entry in the side. Navdeep Saini will lead the pace attack alongside Isuru Udana, whereas the duties of spin will be with the regulars: Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Probable XI- Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers (WK), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Washington Sundar, Chris Morris, Shahbaz Ahmed, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal