IPL 2016, Match 30 Preview: A Royal Challenge for the Knights

After their third loss of this campaign, the Kolkata Knight Riders will play at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Kolkata Knight Riders have now lost two games in a row and have started sliding down the table, currently sitting at the number 4 position currently. The Knight Riders have done the hard job of getting a good start to their campaign and will certainly hope they can get over these minor bumps.

The Royal Challengers have been a huge let down this season. Their bowling has just not been up to the mark when compared to the other teams in the tournament. The batsmen have consistently been setting targets of over 180 but their fragile bowling attack has cost them dearly. They are lacking a bowler who can lead the attack and guide the youngsters when in a tough situation. The Challengers have lost 4 of the 6 games they have played so far in the IPL 2016. A win against the Knight Riders will be a huge boost to their confidence.

The Bangalore wicket has been the best pitch for batting in the whole of India and the spectators better have something to defend themselves as it will be raining sixes.

Match Date and Time: 2 May 2016, 2000 hrs ISTMatch Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.

Weather:

Temperature: Max 31°c, Min 28°cHumidity: Max 42%Wind: 20 km per hour

Pitch Report: Par-score 190. This pitch will remain true to the batters throughout the game.

In-Depth Analysis:

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have had a blessing in disguise in the absence of Chris Gayle. Bangalore-born Lokesh Rahul has been a treat to watch with his exuberant stroke-play. Rahul has certainly proved that he has the ability to play an aggressive innings when required and not just be limited to the test format. It will be interesting to see if Chris Gayle replaces the in-form Rahul upon his return to the team.

Skipper Virat Kohli had a rare failure with the bat against the Sunrisers Hyderabad and couldn’t quite give the start the Challengers required to chase down a mammoth target. To work things down with their batting dilemma, Chris Gayle could open with Rahul and Virat Kohli could slip down to his preferred number 3 position followed by the explosive AB de Villiers.

The Challengers will have to play around their bowling options. The 27-year-old Abu Nechim should be given an opportunity as he has performed well enough for the Mumbai Indians in the previous editions. Kane Richardson hasn’t settled well with the team and could be left out for Chris Jordan, who has shown he can hit the ball way out of the park.

Harshal Patel has been a huge disappointment as well, leaking runs in tough situations. Someone like Stuart Binny or even Varon Aaron can fill up the middle overs. Binny can support the lower middle order with his batting skills and will be quite useful for the Challengers.

The Kolkata Knight Riders have hardly changed anything with their team and that could be one of their reasons for performing consistently over the past few editions. Skipper Gautham Gambhir has been one of the leading run scorers this season and his role will be crucial for the Knight Riders to get off to a good start. Robin Uthappa has been making everyone wonder why he isn’t a part of the Indian team. Scoring 72 runs in just 52 deliveries against the Delhi Daredevils, Uthappa was the lone man waging the war against the Daredevils. The Challengers will be happy to get his wicket early.

The under-fire Yusuf Pathan has come to bat with a few overs left at the end of the innings and his only real opportunity has come against the Daredevils in the previous match. The 32-year-old all-rounder has to take his limited opportunities as his time is running out.

Andre Russell has done a great job opening the bowling attack for the Knight Riders and has picked up 8 wickets so far from 7 matches played. The exclusion of Morne Morkel has been a surprise as the South African has been a problem for the oppositions. His inclusion will be a huge boost to their bowling attack.

The Kolkata Knight Riders have been one of the best teams this season, and they will start out favorites against the struggling Bangalore unit.