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IPL 2022 RCB vs KKR: playing 11 predictions, pitch report, and stats

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had a bad start to their IPL 2022 stint, despite putting up a mammoth score of 205 runs in the first innings against KXIP in their opening match. On the other hand, the Kolkata franchise KKR is at the peak of its confidence, beating the defending champions CSK in the inaugural match of this season. Here is a detailed pre-match report of RCB vs KKR this IPL 2022.

Though the new skipper of RCB, Faf du Plessis, put up a valiant effort by scoring 88 runs off 57 balls, the RCB bowlers have failed to deliver. Mohammad Siraj who leaked 59 runs in his quota of 4 overs, with an economy of 14.80, was the least economical of the lot. He bowled as many as 14 wides, which will be a major concern for RCB. Virat Kohli looked in fine touch, scoring 41 runs during his stay at the crease in the first match. Akash Deep, who gave away 38 runs in 3 overs, might warm the bench during the second match, paving way for Siddarth Kaul, who is an experienced campaigner. Opener Anuj Rawat is expected to retain his spot.

RCB probable 11

Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, David Willey, Harshal Patel, Siddarth Kaul, Mohammed Siraj.

KKR bowler Umesh Yadav looked in good shape, troubling the CSK batsmen with his line and length, with a hint of swing, during the first match. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his spell of 4-0-20-2. Ajinkya Rahane, who has been out of form for a while now, made a comeback with 44 runs off 34 deliveries and is expected to open the innings, alongside Venkatesh Iyer, in KKR’s second outing. The Kolkata side featured only 3 foreign players in the opening match and might be looking forward to using the 4th foreign player slot in the second match. With Sam Billings as the wicket-keeper, Sheldon Jackson might be omitted from the playing XI. Tim Southee is expected to lessen the burden of Andre Russell of bowling 4 overs.

KKR probable 11

Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Sam Billings (wk), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy, Tim Southee.

KKR vs RCB head-to-head

These teams have faced each other on 30 occasions. KKR emerges as the most victorious side, winning 17 of the 30 matches, while RCB has 13 wins against KKR. The fact that RCB scored the lowest ever IPL score (49/10) against KKR in the 2017 season will be an additional confidence booster for the Kolkata franchise.

Important stats

Virat Kohli has scored a total of 774 runs against KKR, which included a century and is expected to play a key role today.
Sunil Narine is the highest wicket-taker in RCB vs KKr matches, with 20 scalps to his name.
Yuzvendra Chahal was RCB’s highest wicket-taker (19 wickets) against KKR and will surely be missed.

Venue records

Out of the 8 T20 matches played at D.Y Patil Stadium, the teams who chased have won 7 times. Teams who have defended had a stroke of bad luck at this venue. So the teams are expected to choose bowling first upon winning the toss. The pitch is expected to favour the batsmen, with an average score of 151 runs in the 8 matches.

Comment your predictions on RCB vs KKR match, and stay tuned for more such IPL 2022 updates.

This post was last modified on %s = human-readable time difference 3:00 pm