Bruised Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team will lock horns against the in-form Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Bangalore on Sunday. This match is more important for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) than RCB. Kohli’s team has now lost all chance to reach IPL play-off this season, but a couple of defeats could literally make it difficult for KKR to cruise into the playoff round.
IPL 2017 Live Score: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders #IPL
With 14 points from 11 matches KKR are almost in, but a few defeats could create an opportunity for fifth positioned Kings XI Punjab to sneak past into the top four. However, considering the lusterless performance by RCB in recent matches, it is highly unlikely that men-in-maroon jersey will produce something extraordinary to trouble KKR.
Also Read: IPL 2017: Complete fixtures, schedule and time in IST with venue details
Team News for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
After two consecutive losses against SRH and RPS respectively, Gambhir is really eager to get back to his winning momentum. The intensity in KKR Skipper’s body language indicates his determination to win the Sunday’s clash. Spin bowling could be a key in Bangalore. Much will depend upon how Kuldeep Yadav and Sunil Narine will bowl against the RCB team.
KKR still need two more victories to seal their berth at IPL knock out round. In the last match between KKR and RCB, the defiant Gambhir and Co. bowled out RCB for just 49 runs. They must be looking forward to repeat the same magic tomorrow as well. However, KKR’s own performance wasn’t up to the mark in the last couple of matches and eventually swallowed two successive defeats.
In case of the top order failure, KKR batsmen like Yusuf Pathan, Washington Sundar and Manish Pandey have to rise up to the occasion and put a big score on the board. If Robin Uthappa and Chris Lynn play tomorrow’s match then it will be a big boost for the team.
Team News for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
RCB’s primary target now is to fight for pride in the remaining two games. They must be looking to win the last two games and don’t finish their position at the bottom of the table. So, Kohli and Co. might play some special knocks on Sunday.
With nothing more to achieve now, RCB can at least play freely. The likes of Ab De Villiers, Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav must be eyeing to play their hearts out tomorrow and give fans one more chance to cheer aloud for RCB.
RCB will expect some fantastic bowling from its spinners; Samuel Badree (9 wickets) and Yuzvendra Chahal (13 wickets), who jointly took 22 wickets in IPL 10.
Predicted Playing XI (Both Teams)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Gautam Gambhir (Captain), Robin Uthappa (Wicket Keeper), Manish Pandey, Sheldon Jackson, Yusuf Pathan, Colin de Grandhomme, Sunil Narine, Chris Woakes, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Kuldeep Yadav and Umesh Yadav.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli (Captain), Mandeep Singh, AB de Villiers, Kedar Jadhav (Wicket Keeper), Stuart Binny, Pawan Negi, Samuel Badree, Sreenath Aravind, Yuzvendra Chahal and Tymal Mills.
Head to Head: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have 10-9 win-Loss record against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Match Prediction: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will win.
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. The match will telecast live on SONY ESPN from 4 PM onwards.
Tags: #IPL, Indian Premier League, IPL 10, IPL 2017, KKR, Kolkata Knight Riders, Live Score, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB, Royal Challengers Bangalore, VIVO IPL
