If Subhman Gill had to take the responsibility for a slow start in the powerplay last time when he scored a half-century, he could also be awarded for a balanced going at the top. Gill and Morgan built a partnership when wicket was not responding well. Then an expected quickfire came from a very special technician to take Kolkata Knight Riders to a respectable score of 164. In the second half, Nitish Rana well replaced an injured Russell, and after that KKR kept their nerve okay to create pressure on Kings XI Punjab.

For RCB a man with almost a run a ball fifty showed how to play a game of cricket when you are left to yourself. As he picked the track, he started timing the ball well and soared upto 90 like a flying jet. With his quality spinners, he succeeded to defend a healthy score on a slow pitch.

RCB have to do some homeworks on Aaron Finch, as he is a very important player for them. RCB need him. His footwork is a big problem. The way he got bowled last time, is of huge concern. But it’s not the right time for Royal Challengers Bangalore to replace him. Padikkal is batting well at the top and he has to decide when to accelerate. Virat kohli needs no introduction. Still, there is something to comment. His 90 in the last innings, somehow, will increase his concentration. AB de Villiers, I think, may come back strong today. No big names after that. Shivam Dubey, Chris Morish, Washington Sundar and Udana….all can bat.

If Tripathi doesn’t fail consecutively, KKR are happy with the opening.  Morgan should come at four, as he is in terrific touch. Dinesh Karthik is back to form. So it’s a good news in the camp and I think, he should continue at that spot, at number five. If Russell is fit, he at No. 6 can contribute a little bit. Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins can bat down the order.

KKR have a fantastic bowling unit with Pat Cummins and Prasiddh Krishna to start. As I said before, Pat Cummins should bowl three overs at a stretch in the powerplay. Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine are much determined. They bowled beautifully in the last game at Abu Dhabi. Nagarkoti is a strike bowler and in the middle he is just fantastic. If Russell makes playing XI, he should be given two overs to bowl.

Except Morris in the last game, no RCB speedster succeeded to make a mark in the side. So I am to talk about RCB spinners straight away. Washington Sundar has become Kohli’s best weapon in the powerplay. He is very disciplined and has the capability to bowl four at a stretch. Chahal is a champion and has a good understanding between him and Virat. Navdeep Saini and Udana are improving day by day in UAE. For a change, Shivam Dube may bowl one or two.

We are back to Sharjah again. Kolkata couldn’t chase 228 against Delhi here. But it never matters as I said in my KKR vs CSK match preview. After that Kolkata won two consecutive games. Now they have to shake off that hangover. RCB are still to play here. On winning toss one must bat. Though the ground is much short in size, any unnecessary attack may be costly. The track is getting slower with every delivery and therefore, both the batsmen and the bowlers must be very calculative. If you lose the toss and are sent to bowl first, it’s all okay. As I said in MI vs DC match preview, you have to restrict the opposition under an average score. Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians chased down 158 and 162 respectively in last two encounters. As for playing XI RCB may go with the same and KKR’s will be picked in regard to the condition…. injury, bowling action problem being some reasons.