Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the only undefeated side in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will go face-to-face on 18 April, in Match 8 of the season, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Bangalore, led by Virat Kohli, have begun with back-to-back wins, against reigning champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Kolkata, too, have faced the same franchises: they have defeated SRH but lost to MI.
Team News
Despite remaining the only unbeaten side this year, Bangalore may go for one change in their line-up against Kolkata. Dan Christian has failed to make an impact so far. One of his countrymen, Kane Richardson or Adam Zampa, may replace him. Given the slow, low nature of the Chepauk pitch, Zampa may get the nod ahead of Richardson.
Team director Mike Hesson earlier confirmed that both are available for selection after missing the opening week for different reasons.
Kolkata’s lower middle-order has been a cause of concern for the team management in the early phase of the tournament. Despite having the likes of Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik, Shakib Al Hasan and Andre Russell, they failed to chase down 31 runs in the last five overs against Mumbai in their latest encounter. However, skipper Morgan is unlikely to make any changes in their line-up after just one bad phase.
Fantasy tips
- Nitish Rana, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill are highly dependable top-order options.
- You cannot ignore Andre Russell, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell in your Fantasy XI. They have the ability to return good value to your side.
- Harshal Patel, Pat Cummins, Kyle Jamieson and Varun Chakravarthy can be handy with the ball.
Probable XIs
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), Shahbaz Ahmed, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers (wk), Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Zampa, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Shakib Al Hasan, Eoin Morgan (c), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Varun Chakravarthy, Harbhajan Singh, and Prasidh Krishna.
Fantasy XI
AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Glenn Maxwell, Andre Russell, Kyle Jamieson, Pat Cummins, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshal Patel
