In the 31st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be locking horns with the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday. RCB has been flying high in this season so far as they have won five wins in seven games. Subsequently, they are well on the verge of sealing the berth for the playoffs. Their perennial bowling woes have seems to be solved with Chris Morris and Washington Sundar doing wonders with the ball in recent games.
In stark contrast to RCB, KXIP has had some forgettable outings in the IPL 2020 with their only win coming against RCB in the early days of the tournament. Since then, KL Rahul and his man have suffered five consecutive losses. With Chris Gayle set to return for them, this could be the boost KXIP need to turn their fortunes around.
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KXIP’s only win this season came against RCB when KL Rahul scored a brilliant century, meaning that they would ideally want to do the double over RCB, who would be looking for a third consecutive win in IPL 2020. With some of the best T20 players in AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell and Virat Kohli taking to the field on Thursday, another highly entertaining match can be expected between the two teams in Sharjah.
As the two sides prepare for a thrilling encounter, here’s a look at three key player battles to keep an eye on.
#1. KL Rahul vs Chris Morris
Chris Morris has added an altogether new dimension to RCB’s bowling attack. On the other hand, KXIP is desperately trying to stay afloat with only skipper KL Rahul being able to put up anything like a fight. So, when Morris takes on Rahul, he will face the stiffest challenge so far in IPL 2020. In the two matches Morris has played, he has claimed five wickets at an economy of 4.50.
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Overall, Morris has played 63 matches and claimed 74 wickets at 7.86. The last time KXIP locked horns with RCB, Rahul scored the highest-ever by an Indian in IPL, with his franchise winning the game by almost 100 runs. Rahul has scored 387 runs from seven matches this season, with 132* being his top score.
#2. Virat Kohli vs Mohammed Shami
Virat Kohli has taken it upon himself to deliver the goods for RCB. In six matches, Kohli has smashed 223 runs at a strike rate of 128.90. Twice, Virat has crossed the fifty mark, batting in his trademark style. RCB skipper’s ability to build his innings and go berserk in the death overs is a massive plus for RCB. The veteran pacer, Mohammed Shami has been doing well for KXIP as he has scalped 10 wickets in the season so far. Against Kohli, though, Shami will have his task cut out. The RCB skipper is one of the best players of spin in the world and will look to unsettle the mystery spinner.
#3. AB de Villiers vs Ravi Bishnoi
When AB de Villiers came out all guns blazing against KKR, everyone, including skipper Virat Kohli watched in awe. At the same time, Ravi Bishnoi is amongst the top three leg-spinners in IPL 2020. So, while bowling to De Villiers will be a challenge, young Bishnoi won’t shy away. But with the business end approaching, Kohli and the RCB management will be elated with De Villiers’ return to form.
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De Villiers has scored 228 runs from seven matches in IPL 2020, at the rollicking strike rate of 185,36. De Villiers has played 161 IPL games for 4623 runs at the strike rate of 152,62. What makes his duel with De Villiers interesting is that while the Sharjah stadium is notorious for its small boundaries, the pitches have begun to die, so stroke-making is not the same as earlier. The youngster has so far taken eight important wickets from seven matches, at an economy of 7.85.
