KKR Vs RCB Preview: Can KKR make good of home advantage against star-studded RCB

KKR vs RCB Preview: Weakened KKR look for their first win of the season against a power-packed unit of RCB.

A depleted bank of resources has added to the woes of Kolkata Knight Riders as they look for their first win of IPL 2023 in their next assignment against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Only after a game this season for KKR, there have been a few underlying concerns they need to plug soon. Jason Roy, the replacement for Shakib Al Hasan is a step in that direction.

When KKR will take the field against RCB on 6th April at their home turf, they will be determined to win but a spirited team of RCB will pose a hindrance to it. Both teams had a contrasting start to their IPL 2023 campaign. While KKR looked out of sorts against Punjab Kings, RCB stamped their authority against the 5-time champions, Mumbai Indians. 

Nitish Rana, the new captain for the franchise will have a lot to think about and more so, will have to absorb the pressure of scoring runs at the top. The bowling department needs to revisit its strategy if they have to succeed at the high-scoring venue of Eden Gardens and that too against the might of RCB’s batting force. 

Whereas RCB does not have much to tinker with. One of the major loopholes for RCB over the years - their bowling unit, came out to shun the critics right from the word go. A collective bowling effort clubbed with the surgical brilliance of Faf and Kohli took the team to a comprehensive victory in their first game against Mumbai Indians. 

KKR vs RCB Pitch Report

The strip at Eden Gardens offers aplenty for the batters. The ball is expected to come onto the bat nicely and the batters enjoy batting on this deck. Although there might be something for the seamers might early on, the batters are expected to make the most out of this situation. 

KKR vs RCB Team News

For the home team, Jason Roy has replaced Shakib Al Hasan in the setup. Although the management might be tempted to test him up the order to provide the fireworks, it will be interesting to see who benches out for him. Apart from that, no other change seems likely for this game.

For a team that had a perfect start such as RCB, one would not want to play around with the winning combination. Unless a forced change, they are expected to field with the same XI. 

KKR vs RCB: Head-to-head

Matches: 30 Kolkata Knight Riders: 16 Royal Challengers Bangalore: 14

KKR vs RCB: Player to watch out for

Kolkata Knight Riders: Andre Russell

There is no need for any introduction to the hitting prowess of Andre Russell. If anything, Russell showed glimpses of his capabilities in the opening game of IPL 2023 itself. With the conditions favouring his batting style, Andre Russell will pose a big threat to RCB and is surely a player to look out for in this game. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli

After an odious season last year, Virat Kohli wasted no time in making sure that IPL 2023 was going to be a different season for him. He let his bat do all the talking, scoring 82* off just 49 balls in the game against Mumbai Indians (MI). A batting hub - as they call the Eden Gardens, Virat Kohli will look to further command his authority. 

KKR vs RCB: Probable XIs:

Kolkata Knight Riders:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wk), Mandeep Singh, Nitish Rana (C), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee, Anukul Roy, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (C), Glenn Maxwell, Michael Bracewell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (Wk), Karn Sharma, Harshal Patel, Akash Deep, Reece Topley, Mohammed Siraj

KKR vs RCB: Match Facts

KKR have dominated RCB going by the statistics.  

Faf du Plessis needs 24 runs to complete 3500 runs in IPL. 

Harshal Patel requires 2 more wickets to reach the 100 wickets mark in IPL. 

KKR vs RCB: Live Broadcasting details

IND: Star Sports Network (TV) | JioCinema (Live Streaming)

UK: DAZN, Sky Sports

AUS: Fox Sports, Kayo Sports

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