IPL 2019 RCB vs KKR: Virat Kohli-led red brigade look to end winless streak against Knight Riders on home turf

RCB who come into game at the back of four consecutive losses would be eager to reverse their fortunes and register their first win of the season on their home turf.

Royal Challengers Bangalore shall be locking horns with Kolkata Knight Riders in the seventeenth match of the ongoing IPL season at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium at Bengaluru later in the evening. The match is scheduled to commence at 8 pm.

RCB who come into game at the back of four consecutive losses would be eager to reverse their fortunes and register their first win of the season on their home turf. RCB lost their last encounter by seven wickets to Rajasthan Royals. They have been several questions raised about Virat Kohli’s leadership and his side not performing up to the expectations. Dismal fielding standards have neither helped RCB’s cause.

RCB would hope their batting stalwarts AB De Villiers and Virat Kohli to strike form after having a rather lackluster season. The only bright spot has been the run scoring form of diminutive wicket keeper batsman Parthiv Patel who has amassed 138 runs.

Yuzvendra Chahal would be critical in the bowling department for the red brigade  as the leg spinner has scalped eight wickets, holding the purple cap.

On the contrary, Kolkata Knight Riders have looked the more balanced side of the two teams, winning 2 out of their three games so far. KKR come into the game at the back of a heart breaking loss against Delhi Capitals where they were edged out in a Super Over. Hard hitting all-rounder Andre Russell has played a major role in KKR’s win with his whirlwind cameos and breakthroughs with the ball.

The KKR batting unit looks formidable with Robin Uttappa, Nitish Rana all making noteworthy contributions. The Purple brigade would hope that ace off spinner Sunil Narine can be match fit to add arsenal to their bowling weaponry and chip in with a few runs up the order.

The head to head between the two teams is heavily tilted in favour of KKR as the Purple Brigade has won 14 out of the 23 clashes between the two sides. KKR also enjoy a four match winning streak against RCB .

The pitch at Bengaluru has always been a high scoring one with and with shorter boundaries and a belter of a track, it  makes up for  ideal conditions for belligerent hitting. Another run feast is expected on the cards.

So in a nutshell the Bangalore will  look for home advantage to bring back their winless campaign back to track and inflict an upset win over KKR who have form going with them.