IPL 2021: Match 31 – KKR vs RCB – Preview, Playing XI, Pitch Report & Updates

One a two-time IPL champions and another a perennial underachiever in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore will battle it out in what promises to be a fascinating match. KKR are without their strike bowler Pat Cummins for the remainder of the season. They have an able backup in place with Tim Southee available, although it remains to be seen if he gets a chance.

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Lockie Ferguson, who was given a few chances during the first half of the IPL, might don the role of the lead pacer. KKR didn’t have the best of the starts as they managed to win only two games from the seven matches in the first leg. The team failed to perform as a unit. Worst, their star all-rounder Andre Russell also struggled to get going consistently.

But a much-needed break due to COVID-19 gives them a chance to reset their goals. Apart from Russell, the squad packs a punch with the likes of, Dinesh Karthik, Eoin Morgan, and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy.

Speaking about RCB, the team’s bowling attack finally came to the party and helped ease the pressure on the batters. Mohammed Siraj, Kyle Jamison, and Yuzvendra Chahal, all performed well and kept the opposition batters under a tight leash. During their first match against KKR, the RCB bowlers kept the likes of Morgan and Russell quiet and restricted them to just 166 in a run-chase of 204.  

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RCB’s batting has always been a strength, and with the inclusion of Glenn Maxwell, they have become even more potent. AB de Villiers was used as a finisher by the franchise and he performed exceptionally well. The overall head to head record is slightly in favour of KKR with 15-13 but RCB in the last two years have managed to pip KKR.

Pitch Report

The pitch in Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi generally favours the team chasing with dew playing a part. 22 matches have been played at this ground, with teams chasing winning 13 of those. With short boundaries on offer on either side of the ground, the teams might opt to chase.

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Playing XI

Kolkata Knight Riders

Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (capt), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Prasidh Krishna, Shivam Mavi, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Kyle Jamieson, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendera Chahal  

Key Players

Andre Russell 

The hard-hitting West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell is the X-factor player every team loves to have in the side. Russell is in some form too, as was evident during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He scored the fastest ever CPL fifty off just 14 balls and signalled a warning of sorts to the opposition teams in the IPL. The West Indian will again look to hit those lusty blows for the KKR and help them win a few games. He can also contribute with the ball and help in stopping the RCB batters by going big during the death overs.

AB de Villiers 

Mr. 360, as he is fondly known, played a couple of match winning knocks in the first leg. While for a few players a break can help loosen their form, for others it helps them to come back even stronger. De Villiers certainly falls under the second category. He looked in great form during the practice match and scored a brilliant hundred. The last time when these two teams met, De Villiers scored a majestic fifty and helped RCB post a huge total. He will once again be eying for a big score