IPL 2023 PREVIEW: RCB v KKR

Following a close loss to CSK, with RCB having only secured 2 victories and suffered 3 losses in their first 5 games, it seemed as though their season was doomed. They had permitted LSG and KKR to recover from unlikely scenarios and permitted CSK to achieve an enormous score with the aid of Rahane and Dube. However, they went on to exhibit an impressive bowling display in consecutive matches, successfully safeguarding moderate totals.

Over the course of three games, RCB has encountered difficulties in finishing on a positive note. They experienced a collapse from 89/1 to 133/6 versus Delhi, established an initial partnership of roughly 120 against Punjab but ultimately recorded a score below expectations. Furthermore, against RR, despite reaching 150 in the 14th over, they failed to surpass the 190 mark.

The RCB's triumvirate of Kohli, Maxwell, and Faf, commonly known as "The KGF," have accounted for almost 75% of the team's runs. However, the emerging players Lomror and Anuj have not stepped up, and Shahabaz and Suayash have been grossly underused. Despite DK's previous exceptional season, where he scored over 300 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 180, his current form has provided little assistance. DK's efforts were instrumental in ensuring RCB concluded on a high note last year..

The team's performance has also suffered due to some inexplicable decision-making concerning the batting order. Hasarnga and Willey are both exceptional batters, with Willey even opening for his domestic side and amassing over 3000 runs.

Regarding the bowling department, Siraj has been nothing short of sensational during the Powerplay overs, nearly winning the game for RCB with his crucial dismissal of Buttler in the previous match. Notably, according to Cricviz, he had the most negative impact on a team last season, but this season he has the most positive impact, with an impact score of 69 before the last match.

It is imperative to promptly introduce Hazlewood into the playing XI, as soon as he attains fitness. Addition of Hazlewood will only take things upwards from here.
Hazlewood has been one of the best white-ball bowlers post-2021, with 49 wickets from 32 games for Australia in T20Is at an economy rate of 7.2. His ability to pick wickets in the death overs, as he did for RCB last season (8), is an invaluable addition to the team.

Hasaranga's bowling was severely punished by Tim Seirfert in New Zealand just a fortnight ago and

Despite having an unimpressive performance in the few games he has played thus far Hasaranga's role in RCB's playoff chances cannot be overlooked. His outstanding record of securing 26 wickets in the last season, out of which 20 were in the middle overs, was a significant advantage for the team, particularly during the phase when the opposition is scoring effortlessly. Moreover, his ability to take wickets during the death overs, while maintaining an economy rate of 7.3 is a huge plus point .

Nevertheless, the most significant and noteworthy aspect in favor of RCB is their enhanced strategy during the Powerplay phase. In the previous season, their scoring rate during the Powerplay was second-lowest in the league, and they were not among the top five teams with regard to hitting sixes. However, the opening partnership of Virat and Faf has been exceptional, having amassed nearly 450 runs in 7 matches at an impressive run rate of 9.

Probable Playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli(C), Faf du Plessis,, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed,Dinesh Karthik(wk), Suyash Prabhudesai, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj

Kolkata Knight Riders

Jason Roy, N Jagadeesan, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, David Wiese, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy

Venue

M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

-Average Total batting 1st: 170.4
-Average 1st innings winning total: 189.1
-Highest total: 263/5 by RCB v PWI
-Lowest total: 82/10 by RCB v KKR
-Total Match Played: 86
-Batting First Won: 36
-Batting Second Won: 46

Head to Head

Overall: KKR leads by 18-14

Batting 1st: KRR leads by 8-3

Batting 2nd: RCB leads by 11 - 10

Last 5 matches: KKR leads by 3-2

Most Runs:

Virat Kohli - 807

Chris Gayle - 631

Most wkts:

Sunil Narine - 23

Yuzvendra Chahal - 19

Last year’s Standings

KRR: 7th

RCB: 4th

Team Form

RCB: W L L W L W W

KRR: L W W L L L L

Match Ups

Kohli v Umesh: 162 off 93, 3 outs
Kohli v Southee: 82 off 67, 2 outs ( overall)
Kohli v Narine: 102 off 102, 4 outs
DK v Umesh: 60 off 32, 1 out
Maxwell v Narine: 94 off 87, 4 outs
Maxwell v Umesh: 31 off 28, 4 outs
Faf v Russell: 86 OFF 50, 3 out

Form Update ( last 5 innings)

Key Players and Fantasy Picks

Faf du Plessis / Virat Kohli

A top order batter should be your 1st priority in Fantasy 11. Faf has been in some surreal form off late with 177 runs at an SR of 143 in BBL and became the 1st centurion in SA 20. He scored 369 runs at an average of 41 (2nd highest). He was the MoM in the opening game for his 73. He scored 79 off 46 deliveries against LSG and 62 off 32 against his former team CS, another 84 off 56 balls against PBKS, and another 61 against RR amidst injury. He has 405 runs at a SR of 165 with 25 sixes.

In contrast to the preceding few seasons, Virat Kohli has now ignited the IPL with his exceptional performance. His approach, intent, and boundary percentage have all improved to a remarkable extent compared to his previous three seasons. CSS is his happy hunting ground with 3 50s in 5 games so far this season.

Jason Roy

KKR must be regretting not playing Roy in the 11 as soon as he was available. Despite getting a game later in the tournament, he has made a grand entrance by scoring over 100 runs in just two games. At a certain point in one match, he appeared capable of seizing victory from CSK's grasp

Russell:

Carnage would be an understatement when Russell hammered 48 from 13 deliveries last time both teams played each other at CSS. But since that season RCB have successfully managed to contain him. This game could well be an example of mean reversion.

Venkatesh Iyer / Rinku Singh

KKR received a lot of flak for retaining Iyer instead of Gill but he has put that criticism to rest up to some extent by scoring 2 big knocks and became KKR’s 1st ever centurion since McCullum in 2008. He has 254 runs at a SR of 160 this season

This year, Rinku has emerged as a revelation in the team, displaying signs of potential since his performance last year when he nearly led KKR to victory with a 40-ball 15. Since then, he has showcased his batting prowess by hitting 22 sixes in just eight innings. Many young players have struggled to secure the finisher's role season after season, but Rinku has mastered the position with finesse, amassing 233 runs at a commendable strike rate of 157 this season.

Glenn Maxwell

In 2021 and 2022, Maxwell scored 814 runs for RCB at a SR of 152. No one scored more runs than him at a better rate and he did it by batting at 4 or below. He is also an effective off spinner who bowled a few economical overs in Powerplay. With Rajat not in the scene and DK not among runs in the recent past, the onus of carrying the middle order solely lies on him and he did not disappoint against LSG scoring 59 from 29 balls and straightaway took on the spinners in middle overs against Delhi, against CSK put up another show with an innings of74, and 77 against RR. He has 23 sixes so far and a SR of 188 this season

Fantasy XI