FANTASY
Follow UsAfter a topsy-turvy campaign in the first phase of Indian Premier League (IPL 2021), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) till resume their challenge for a top-four group finish at the Shiekh Zayad Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday (September 30). After notable omissions and additions plus a fresh state of mind, both sides will look press restart with a good performance.
In the first leg, which was suspended after multiple cases of COVID-19 within the bio-bubble, KKR are second from the bottom after losing five of their seven matches. They began with a win against Sunrisers Hyderabad but lost four on the trot before edging out Punjab Kings and then lost against Delhi Capitals.
For RCB, the first phase began great with four wins in a row before suffering a humbling against Chennai Super Kings. Virat Kohli's men managed to edge out table-toppers Delhi Capitals by a run but then stumbled to a heavy defeat against Punjab Kings. Despite the hiccups, they are in third place and will look to replicate the early-season form.
IPL Head-to-Head
Overall matches:
31 | KKR 15 wins | RCB 13 wins
Last 5 matches:
RCB 4 wins | KKR 1 win
Suggested team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Based on your preferences, the platform will guide you to create the ideal fantasy XI.
Ground details
The Sheikh Zayad Stadium in Abu Dhabi has hosted the entire postponed leg of the Pakistan Super League 2021 before IPL. Teams struggled to score in the first three matches before the batting became a whole lot easier. It is unlikely slow wickets will be on the offer for the IPL 2021. Last year when both the sides faced off at the same venue, KKR were reduced to 84/8 in 20 overs as RCB chased it quite comfortably. This year as a whole, pacers have been at the top, claiming 71% of the wickets from 22 matches at an average of 24.5. Spinners, meanwhile, have a better economy of 8 to that of pacers' 8.4. The safest way to go is a pick of three pacers, a part-time spinner and a leg spinner.
Captain
Tim Southee hasn't featured in major T20 leagues this year, but he has been exceptional in the shortest format claiming 20 wickets from 12 matches at an average of 17.6. He replaces Pat Cummins in the KKR line-up which is an exciting prospect for the team which hasn't hit the ground running this year.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Southee could pick 3-4 wickets in this match.
X-Factors
Rahul Tripathi has been KKR's second best batsman this edition with 187 runs from seven matches striking at 135.5. He has been key to their two victories so far and will be vital alongside Nitish Rana at the top of the order.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Tripathi could score 24-36 runs in this match.
IPL 2021 has been Harshal Patel's break out season as he currently leads the race for Purple Cap with 17 wickets from seven games so far which played a major role in RCB settling down in the top three. He will look continue the same form in the second leg as RCB aim for a playoff spot.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts Patel could pick 1-2 wickets in this match.
AB de Villiers has been superb in the middle order for RCB with two fifties and a 27-ball 48 Mumbai Indians in the season opener. The South African great, who has been striking at 164.3 this season, needs to be at the top of his game against KKR.
Our Criclytics Player Projector predicts De Villiers could score 19-29 runs in this match.
Here are the top-11 Criclytics Projections:
Probable XIs:
KKR: Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan(C), Shakib Al Hasan, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Tim Southee, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav.
RCB: Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli(C), Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers(WK), Harshal Patel, Kyle Jamieson, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini.