IPL 2019: Key battles to watch out from RCB’s encounter against KXIP
It’s match number 42 in the IPL. Usually, at this stage, every team tries out permutations and combinations to target the scenarios which will take them into the playoffs. While Kings XI Punjab are in the mid-table scramble, Royal Challengers Bangalore are just one loss away from being knocked out of the competition. In such circumstances, this clash at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore will have an interesting effect on the points table.
After beginning with three wins from the first four matches, KXIP ended up on the winning side only once in their last four encounters. One of those losses was an eight-wicket defeat to RCB. Kohli’s men had lost six games on the trot, and it was the victory against KXIP that rejuvenated their campaign. They added two more close wins to their tally and kept the challenge alive.
The addition of Dale Steyn has changed RCB’s image of being a miserable bowling lot. While they still have a few concerns, the Bangalore team isn’t an underdog anymore. On the other hand, KXIP is struggling to look beyond Chris Gayle and KL Rahul in the batting department. Other batsmen need to stand up and play supporting roles.
Key battles:
Dale Steyn versus Chris Gayle
The South African pacer has changed the complexion of the RCB bowling attack. With his searing pace and sharply swinging deliveries, he has tested batsmen severely. Tonight, Steyn will be confronting one of cricket’s most brutal batsmen. Of course, Gayle and Steyn have faced each other a lot of times, but every battle between them is worth savouring.
In two matches, Steyn has picked up four wickets and has made an impact straight away. He has been RCB’s go-to bowler. Facing him will be Gayle, who has accumulated 421 runs from nine matches so far at a strike rate of 160. The confrontation between these two heavyweights will be worth a watch.
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers versus R Ashwin
RCB has a formidable batting duo in the form of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Together they can punish the best of bowlers and win matches single-handedly. While they haven’t been at their best this season, both grace the top spots for their team in the run tally. Tonight, KXIP Captain R Ashwin will have the task of stopping these two.
In ten matches, Ashwin has picked up 11 wickets and is the second-highest wicket taker of the team. KXIP also has Murugan Ashwin in the lineup who bowls an effective wrong-un. Both Kohli and ABD are known to be susceptible to the googly and have been victims of the delivery in the past.
New RCB versus Old RCB
As Kings XI Punjab arrive to play at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, many of its players will experience nostalgia. Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh and Murugan Ashwin have all represented RCB in the past and have played at the same ground as their home venue. Gayle’s world-record of 175* was also scored at the Chinnaswamy. The Universe Boss will be eyeing something similar tonight.
