Match 39 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will feature an important match of two strong sides as Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Both the teams are going pretty strong in the IPL 2020 but would like to push it a notch higher by solidifying a spot into the playoffs as soon as possible.
Kolkata Knight Riders are coming off a close super over win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Royal Challengers Bangalore, on the other hand, is coming off a come from behind win against the Rajasthan Royals.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Even though RCB is coming off a win, they would like to rectify the mistakes they made in their last match. While chasing, the RCB top-order was struggling. Aaron Finch once again failed to deliver. Devdutt Padikkal played well but couldn’t keep his strike rate high. RCB was sinking, however, a probable tactical error was made by RR.
Many experts believe the penultimate over (19th over) is more important than the last over. But Smith handed the over to Jaydev Unadkat instead of Jofra Archer. AB de Villiers obviously was going to make the Royals pay for that as he smashed three sixes to get 25 off that over. Archer only had 10 runs to defend which he couldn’t do.
Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR is coming off a close super over win over the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Andre Russell has been consistently failing in this IPL.
However, KKR may have finally found a stable combination as they brought in Kiwi quickie Lockie Ferguson and Kuldeep Yadav. That quickly manifested as Ferguson took 3 wickets and 2 more wickets in the super over. However, they’ll have to focus on their death bowling.
Fantasy XI team
VIRAT KOHLI (10.5) (C) – Kohli is back in form and that’s bad news for bowlers! He’s always an inning away from gaining confidence. He’ll be our captain.
CHRIS MORRIS (9) (VC) – Morris has looked great so far and picked up four wickets in his last match. He contributed handsomely with the bat as well. He’ll be our vice-captain.
AB DE VILLIERS (10) – AB de Villiers has been fairly consistent with this IPL. He’s scored a phenomenal 73 off just 33 balls against KKR.
SHUBMAN GILL (9) (VC) – Gill is in great form and has been really consistent for KKR. He’ll be our vice-captain.
DEVDUTT PADIKKAL (9.5) – Youngster Padikkal has impressed everyone with his batting this year. He has been extremely consistent.
DINESH KARTHIK (8.5) – Karthik has shown some form after the weight of captaincy has reduced from his shoulders.
WASHINGTON SUNDAR (8.5) – Sundar probably has one of the lowest economy rates in the history of the IPL. However, he has backed that up by picking up wickets as well. Also, he can prove really handy with the bat.
LOCKIE FERGUSON (8.5) – Ferguson is known for picking up wickets in the middle overs. His raw pace is very effective in UAE pitches.
YUZVENDRA CHAHAL (9) – Chahal has developed into a phenomenal and intelligent limited over spinner.
PAT CUMMINS (9) – Cummins is coming off an impressive 53 against MI. Also, he has some rhythm with his bowling.
ISURU UDANA (8) – Even though his economy is on the higher side, Udana has been picking up wickets at regular intervals.
PREDICTION
Kolkata have looked good as per individual performances are concerned, however, as a team, they would like to put in a collective effort. Under the captaincy of world-cup winning captain Eoin Morgan, they’re expected to rectify their mistakes. However, RCB has been one of the most balanced teams of the IPL 2020. Royal Challengers Bangalore will defeat the Kolkata Knight Riders.
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