IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-Ups to Watch-Out in RCB VS KKR Match No.36

The upcoming IPL 2023 game between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will mark the first rematch of the season and is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 26 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In terms of their Head-to-Head record, KKR have won 17 out of the 31 matches played against RCB in the IPL, leaving the latter with 14 wins.

Royal Challengers Bangalore has had a satisfactory start to their current season, winning four out of the seven matches played and losing the other three, placing them at eight points with a net run rate of -0.008. The top-order of the team, consisting of Skipper Faf Du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Glenn Maxwell, has performed exceedingly well, contributing greatly to their success. However, the middle-order and lower middle-order have been a cause for concern.

The seamers have stepped up for the team, with Mohammed Siraj leading the way, having picked up 13 wickets and being the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament. He has been impressive in picking up wickets during the powerplay and has maintained his economy rate as well. Harshal Patel, Wayne Parnell, and David Willey have provided excellent support to him. However, the spin department appears to be lacking as Wanindu Hasaranga is the only full-time spinner on the team.

Knights Looking to Record Another Win against RCB in IPL 2023

The Kolkata Knight Riders arrive at this match on the back of a disappointing run, having suffered four consecutive losses. Their bowling unit has struggled, failing to perform on most occasions. Despite a decent start, they have lost momentum, making their upcoming game crucial. The opening combination of N Jagadeesan and Sunil Narine has struggled to get going in most games, and they will need to provide a strong start. However, the middle-order batsmen, including Venkatesh Iyer, Jason Roy, and Nitish Rana, have been consistent with their performances and will be relied upon to deliver in the upcoming RCB VS KKR match.

The bowling department hasn’t been in the best of form either, with Varun Chakaravarthy being the only standout performer with 10 wickets. Sunil Narine has been economical but has struggled to take wickets. The pacers in the squad, including Umesh Yadav, Kulwant Khejroliya, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, and Shardul Thakur, have failed to cause any trouble for the opposition batters. Consequently, the bowling attack remains one of the weakest in IPL 2023 for KKR.

IPL 2023: Top Player Battles to Keep an Eye on in RCB VS KKR Game:

3) Jason Roy vs Mohammed Siraj

In the home match against the Chennai Super Kings, Jason Roy showcased an impressive performance. Despite KKR’s top order collapsing while chasing a massive total, Roy persisted and achieved his fifty in a remarkable 19 deliveries. He went on to score 61 runs off 26 deliveries before being outsmarted by Maheesh Theekshana.

In the match against the Delhi Capitals, Roy exhibited exceptional determination. However, he may encounter a tough opponent in Mohammed Siraj, who is currently the purple cap holder with 13 wickets and in great form. One of the challenges Roy might face in the upcoming game is his difficulty in dealing with the moving ball, which he will need to overcome.

2) Glenn Maxwell vs Sunil Narine

In the previous game, Glenn Maxwell scored his third half-century of the season and was awarded the Player of the Match title. This season, he has scored 253 runs in seven games, maintaining an average of 42.17 and a strike rate of 188.81. In the first game against RCB this season, Narine took two wickets for 16 runs in four overs. However, he has only picked six wickets in seven games this season, with an average of 36.17, an economy of 8.68, and a strike rate of 25.

Despite his recent struggle to take wickets, Narine’s record against Maxwell, having dismissed him four times while scoring only 88 runs in 83 balls at a strike rate of 106, will give him confidence in the repeat fixture. Maxwell has a tendency to dominate whenever spinners operate, which has been his approach since the start of the season. It will be intriguing to see how he approaches KKR’s most successful spinner.

1) Virat Kohli vs Varun Chakaravarthy

Although Virat Kohli was dismissed for a golden duck in the previous game against the Rajasthan Royals, the RCB opener has been performing exceptionally well this season. Kohli has scored an impressive 279 runs in seven games, maintaining an average of 46.5 and a strike rate of 141.62. In their last encounter, Sunil Narine dismissed Kohli, but since then, Narine’s form has declined, and the in-form Varun Chakaravarthy is likely to be a significant threat to Kohli this time. With 10 wickets in seven games, an average of 21.2, an economy of 8.26, and a strike rate of 15.4, Chakaravarthy is currently the leading wicket-taker for KKR.

If Kohli manages to survive the powerplay overs, he will face a tough challenge against Varun’s mystery spin. Kohli has struggled against KKR’s spin wizard in the past, having scored only 20 runs off 24 balls, with a poor strike rate of 83.3, and having been dismissed once by him.