PRE MATCH ANALYSIS
Follow UsRoyal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders have contrasting starts to the Indian Premier League 2022. The likes of Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Sunil Narine helped Kolkata outclass defending champions Chennai Super Kings, while Faf du Plessis’ men were hammered by Punjab Kings despite posting 205 runs on the board. The bowling hasn’t been easy in the second innings because of the dew and we could be in for another high-scoring affair when these two arch-rivals come face to face at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy on Wednesday (March 30).
Siraj needs to step up in Hazlewood’s absence
It took du Plessis only one game to make an impact with the bat but still ended up on the wrong side of the result. The newly-appointed RCB skipper smashed 88 off 57 deliveries, while Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, and Dinesh Karthik too chipped in with solid cameos. However, the bowling unit struggled big time against Punjab’s formidable batting line-up and not once looked like they were in control of the game. Yes, there was a lot of dew but Mohammed Siraj looked completely out of rhythm and conceded 59 runs in his four overs, which included 14 wides.
While Australian seamers Josh Hazlewood and Jason Behrendorff will only be available after April 6 and in their absence, Siraj automatically becomes RCB’s main pacer. The 28-year-old was one of the best seamers in the last edition and the team management would want him to return back to his best as soon as possible. In IPL 2021, Siraj was economical in all three phases and was the leader of Bangalore's pace attack. Among pacers who bowled a minimum of 20 overs in the last season, only three went for less than 7 runs per over – Anrich Nortje, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Siraj.
Bangalore didn’t have an offspinner against Punjab and that allowed left-handers Shikhar Dhawan with Bhanuka Rajapaksa to dictate terms. Kolkata too have three left-handers in their top-seven and RCB will have to find a way to keep them quiet. The conditions once again won’t be in their favour and the pressure will also be on overseas stars David Willey and Wanindu Hasaranga to come good.
Onus on Chakaravarthy, Narine to contain Faf and Co.
Bangalore only scored 70 runs in the first 10 overs against Punjab before smashing 135 in the second half of the innings but they might not have the same luxury against Kolkata. Even if there’s a bit of movement on offer with the new ball, Umesh Yadav will exploit it, just like he did against Chennai. Shreyas Iyer used Umesh perfectly in the first encounter and the paceman responded with a couple of wickets in the powerplay. Once he was done, Chakaravarthy and Narine took over and conceded only 38 runs between them in eight overs.
In fact, the two mystery spinners were also super consistent last season and no other spin bowling unit has a better economy rate than Kolkata since IPL 2021. On top of that, these two have done well against Bangalore in the past, with Narine also being at his brutal best with the bat. And, most of the RCB batters don't have a great strike rate against spinners. Umesh might have hogged most of the limelight in the game against CSK but RCB will have to be more careful against these two spinners. And, for that to happen, they would want du Plessis, Kohli, and Karthik to do well.
KKR have two world-class spinners but their seamers have struggled big time at the death. Since IPL 2020, only three pace attacks have conceded at 10+ RPO at the death – KKR is one among them. In the opening match against CSK, they conceded at 11.6 RPO in the final five overs. All three main pacers of KKR who are likely to bowl at the death have gone at 10+ RPO in the phase since IPL 2020. Shivam Mavi and Russell have always been expensive in this phase and Kolkata could save one over each of Chakaravarthy and Narine,
Probable XIs
Bangalore - Faf du Plessis (c), Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, David Willey, Harshal Patel, Akash Deep/Siddarth Kaul, Mohammed Siraj.
Kolkata - Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Sam Billings, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Sheldon Jackson (wk), Umesh Yadav, Shivam Mavi/Tim Southee, Varun Chakaravarthy
