IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-Ups to Watch-Out in KKR VS RCB Match No.9

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are hosting Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their first home game of the IPL 2023 season on Thursday, April 6. The ninth match between the two teams will be played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. When it comes to the head-to-head stats between the two teams in the IPL, KKR are leading the way. Out of 31 encounters so far, the Kolkata-based team have won 17 while the Bangalore-based have won 14 of them. The last encounter between these two teams took place in March 2022 which resulted in an RCB victory by 3 wickets.

It is fair to say that the rivalry between KKR and RCB is the oldest one in the league. The heated rivalry sparked between these two teams right from the first match of the first edition of the IPL back in 2008, when KKR handed RCB a shocking 140-run defeat. Whenever these two teams cross swords with each other, there has always been a great match on display.

Fans of both teams have cherished watching these two teams going all out against each other. The Kolkata-based team will be looking to capitalize on home advantage as they play their second IPL 2023 match against RCB. In their first match of the IPL 2023, KKR suffered a seven-run defeat via the DLS method against Punjab Kings in a rain-spoiled match in Mohali last week.

RCB are coming off a thumping win over five-time IPL winners- Mumbai Indians (MI) at their home ground in Bangalore. It’ll be interesting to see how well they play in their first away game. Both teams have quality players in their ranks and will be keeping a close watch on these three player battles:

IPL 2023: Top Player Battles to Watch Out for in the KKR VS RCB Game:

3) Glenn Maxwell vs Varun Chakravarthy

Glenn Maxwell is also known as “The Big Show” and there is a big reason behind this name. Maxwell is a player who can change the course of the match in a handful of deliveries with his wide range of shots and innovation on display. He is very versatile and can bat according to the situation. The right-handed batter is often used as a floater. Against KKR, he is most likely to bat in the middle order and there he will come against the mystery spinner of KKR- Varun Chakravarthy.

Sunil Narine’s spin twin, Chakravarthy has bowled 16 balls to Maxwell in which he has scored 27 runs at an average of 27.00. The power-hitter has a damaging strike rate of 168.75. Meanwhile, Varun has managed to dismiss Maxwell on one occasion. This will be an interesting battle and very important too as both these players are important to their team’s success.

2) Andre Russell vs Harshal Patel

In the past, Russell has single-handedly won games for KKR against the Banglore franchise. RCB is wary of the threat that Russell brings to the table. The dynamic batter has scored 395 runs in 13 innings against RCB, at an average of nearly 43 and a blistering strike rate of 208. The Bangalore bowlers have found it difficult to contain him.

Among the current RCB players, only Harshal has done well versus Russell. Whenever these two T20 specialists have come face to face, Harshal has managed to claim his wicket twice. Russell has scored 35 runs from 26 balls at a modest average of 17.50 and has a strike rate of 134.61, managing just two fours. This battle could be one which can define the match.

1) Virat Kohli vs Umesh Yadav

In his first innings of the 2023 season, Kohli top-scored for his team and anchored an easy run chase. Kohli will look to continue that form against RCB but he will come up against his old nemesis Umesh Yadav. The senior pacer of KKR has gotten the better of Kohi three times in the past and will look for his prized scalp in Thursday’s contest as well.

Kohli scores at a strike rate of 175 against Umesh and has scored 150 runs against him. Umesh Yadav will carry the responsibility for KKR with the new ball along with Tim Southee. Over the years, it has been observed that Eden Gardens pitch offers a lot more assistance to the fast bowlers, especially under lights in the first few overs.