If we look back to the previous encounter between the two, RCB included four premier batsmen in the playing XI. While batting first at Sharjah, RCB stumbled to run thick and fast. It somehow kept KKR in a position from where they could capitalise it to their favour. But a man came up in the middle and just had a look on the ball. Having ignored the slow wicket, he sent the white ball well over the rope. And RCB didn’t lose more than two wickets. Against Punjab they went with the same batting formula and it didn’t work. ABD failed and the all-rounders had to cover a lot for losing cause. In the next against Royals, RCB included one more batsman and again a gigantic innings from the big man rescued them. So the impact of AB is a draw-back for RCB.

 

For KKR, they have the same batting problem as the whole batting unit is still suffering from inconsistencies and it’s much more acute than that of RCB. At Sharjah they couldn’t chase against RCB and got out even before reaching a respectable total. Against Mumbai, they went experimental as I said in my last article— Kolkata Knight Riders- A Mid-Season Analysis and failed. Against SRH, they backed Kuldeep and thus made way for Farguson. So KKR’s strong zone of bowling got back to the best in the absence of Sunil Narine.

 

It’s the powerplay crisis which is yet to be overcome by KKR. If you give a run a ball start in the opening, you have to carry it on for long and take a calculated risk. But if you get out just before you escalate, it’s a big big problem. You have to be very tactical in the powerplay, otherwise, you let it slip away. So Subhman Gill and Rahul Tripathi have to take more responsibility than they have taken so far. It’s a very important game in respect of the points table. Anything taken lightly will cost. Hence, Nitish Rana has to score. Morgan, Karthik, and Russell will follow them at respective positions. Kuldeep Yadav may be moved up the order, if KKR bat first. So Cummins may be rested for a while.

 

If Finch doesn’t get going, RCB will make no difference in the first six. Padikkal is playing a Subhman for RCB. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the middle will keep the board scoring with their exceptional ability of fast running between the wickets. No big names to follow them. But Chris Morish, Shivam Dube and Sundar can bat.

 

Though Morris, back to the side, ensures a balance in the pace attack of Bangalore, it’s the combination of Sundar and Chahal that will come handy at Abu Dhabi’s slow track.

 

I think KKR have a better bowling unit, as every time KKR find their backs against the wall, it’s their bowling which comes to rescue them, and for RCB, it’s their batting. Russell Arnold who is still looking for his batting form must be utilized as the sixth bowler.

 

Both the teams are not good at chasing and therefore, toss may come out to be a factor in the contest. It’s an absolute fifty-fifty game and I’ll go for the same XI for both sides.