The 28th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, will be expected to be a high-scoring encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. Both teams sit pretty in the top half of the table with four wins in six games. On the one hand, KKR has picked up steam after a slow start to the competition.
With a power-packed batting unit being well complemented by the spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, Knight RIders looking set to reach the playoffs. On the other hand, RCB seems to have found the right balance this season with the additions of Chris Morris and Devdutt Padikkal reaping the rewards so far. Their bowling unit that has often been criticized in the last few seasons has, but they have performed admirably with Chahal leading the way.
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With the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers also looking in fine form, RCB can be expected to register their second consecutive win at Sharjah. However, RCB wouldn’t be too fond of their IPL record against KKR which reads 15-10 against them.
With the likes of Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill taking the field, the match can be expected to be an absolute treat. As the two sides prepare for a thrilling encounter, here’s a look at three key player battles to keep an eye on.
#1. Shubman Gill vs Navdeep Saini
After a disappointing start to the tournament, KKR opener Shane Watson got his form back when he destroyed KXIP bowlers with an unbeaten knock of 83. He continued his form with a fifty against KKR. It should have come in a winning cause, but the later batsmen could not take the team home after his dismissal.
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Navdeep Saini has seen ups and downs in the tournament, but he does possess the ability to get key wickets. Saini has the pace to trouble Watson but needs to get his accuracy right to scalp his wicket. The CSK opener has been caught out playing late on the ball a number of times in IPL 2020, a weakness that Saini can look to expose.
#2. Aaron Finch vs Prasidh Krishna
An attacking batsman against a seamer makes for an intriguing contest. And RCB opener, Aaron Finch is among the most aggressive batsmen on the T20 circuit. He blasted it out against MI, when he scored runs 32 off just 36 balls. If he manages to go big, he will make sure that the opposition pays for it. However, Prasidh Krishan played his first game against KXIP and when on to scalp three wickets and gave away just 29 runs. He has performed against the best in the business and has made his mark with his guile.
#3. Virat Kohli vs Varun Chakravarthy
With AB de Villiers struggling for consistency, 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.
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Leg-spinner Karn Sharma made his first appearance in IPL 2020 for CSK against SRH, and he dismissed David Warner and gave away only 25 runs. Against Kohli, though, Chakravarthy 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.
