IPL 2018 – Match 3 – KKR vs RCB Preview

What a match this promises to be!

These two sides have always had one of the best rivalries ever seen at the Indian Premier League and they’ve always produced thrillers, right from the IPL’s first ever game where Brendon McCullum scored 150+. However, things have changed since then and McCullum will now be playing for RCB, against his former side.

Teams

McCullum will have to fight for a spot to open the innings with Quinton de Kock, but the former may just have the edge. With de Villiers, an all-rounder in de Grandhomme and a bowler in Tim Southee being sure starters, RCB will have to make a tough decision between McCullum and de Kock.

For KKR, there were injury concerns for their overseas stars Chris Lynn and Andre Russell, but both have been cleared to play the game and these are extremely dangerous hitters of the cricket ball. While you may think Lynn opening the batting with Shubman Gill (U-19 star) is the likely start, I am sure Sunil Narine may walk out to open the innings with the bat, like he had last year.

Captains

Virat Kohli will be leading Royal Challengers Bangalore, and he is now the only player in the history of the Indian Premier League to play for one franchise over 11 seasons. He is a cricketer who is hungry to win, and has an intelligent cricket brain. Just in case that wasn’t enough, he has the minds of McCullum and de Villiers to work with.

For KKR, three years of no title and they released Gautam Gambhir to sign Dinesh Karthik for a massive Rs.7.8 crore at the IPL 2018 auction. They named him captain and that may be a very wise move, as he is high on confidence at the moment. Good domestic scores got him back into Indian colours and 15-years after his debut, he played a defining knock to help India win the Nidahas trophy.

Home advantage

Kolkata Knight Riders have always been brilliant at the Eden Gardens, a pitch that provides good assistance to the spinners. They have a wide range of spinning options, but remember that RCB are also well-equipped with Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal. I think the result of this game could very much be decided within the first hour of the game.

Although by heart is with Royal Challengers Bangalore, my money will be on Kolkata Knight Riders for this opener. However, like I said, the two have always put up good fights. RCB will be desperate to kick off IPL 2018 well, after their debacle in IPL 2017.

IPL 2018 – Match 3 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview

Teams

Captains

Home advantage

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