At High-scoring Chinnaswamy, KKR Seek Top-order Solutions

RCB will aim to finish their home games on a positive note prior to embarking on a string of five consecutive away matches.

Following their highest total conceded in the IPL at Eden Gardens, the Kolkata Knight Riders are set to face off against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chinnaswamy Stadium, which could result in another high-scoring match.

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So far this season, KKR has allowed three scores of 200 or more in seven games, and the recent injury to Shardul Thakur has disrupted the team’s balance.

KKR is facing more pressing issues at the top of their batting lineup.

They have experimented with five different opening pairs in seven matches, lost the most wickets (17) in the powerplay, and have the second-lowest run rate (7.80) during this phase compared to other teams in the IPL.

KKR has already used all of their eight overseas players midway through the tournament, highlighting their search for stability in the team.

In contrast, RCB’s top order has been a key factor in their success.

Faf du Plessis, who was previously known as Chennai Super Kings’ designated pace hitter, has improved his game against spin as well.

Du Plessis and Virat Kohli have been the most productive opening pair in the IPL, scoring almost 500 runs together, including two century partnerships.

Glenn Maxwell has also been in fantastic form, particularly at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he has scored three half-centuries in his last four innings.

The trio’s brilliance has reduced the pressure on RCB’s misfiring middle order.

RCB will be aiming to continue their winning streak and finish their stretch of home games on a high note, with Mohammed Siraj being effective both in the powerplay and at the death, and Harshal Patel using his slower balls to deceive batters once again.

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The team will return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium for their final league fixture against Gujarat Titans on May 21.

According to ESPNcricinfo, there are doubts about Josh Hazlewood’s availability for the next game, and he is likely to sit out one more match before returning to action.

In the event that Hazlewood is not able to recover from his injury, David Willey will continue to start for RCB on Wednesday.

In terms of strategy, RCB could opt to use Faf du Plessis as an Impact Player due to his rib injury.

If they bat first, he may be subbed out for seamer Vijaykumar Vyshak or legspinner Karn Sharma after his batting shift.

RCB’s possible XII could include Virat Kohli as captain, followed by du Plessis, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Suyash Prabhudessai, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik as wicket-keeper, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, David Willey, and Mohammed Siraj, with a choice between Vyshak and Sharma as the final player.

As for KKR, Jason Roy is set to return to the top after not opening the batting against Super Kings due to an injury sustained in the field.

The availability of Shardul Thakur remains uncertain, although he bowled at full tilt during the nets on the eve of the game.

Additionally, KKR has been consistent in their use of the Impact Player rule, with wristspinner Suyash Sharma starting if they bowl first, or Venkatesh Iyer starting if they bat first.

KKR’s Possible XII could include Jason Roy and N Jagadeesan as the opening pair, followed by Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana as captain, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and a choice between David Wiese, Lockie Ferguson, or Tim Southee.

Umesh Yadav, Kulwant Khejroliya, or Vaibhav Arora could also be included in the lineup, along with Varun Chakravarthy and Suyash Sharma as the final player.

In terms of statistics, KKR could consider using Sunil Narine against Faf du Plessis in the powerplay since he has kept him to 47 runs off 67 balls while dismissing him twice in all T20s.

Kohli has also struggled against Narine in T20 cricket, scoring 137 runs off 141 balls while being dismissed four times.

Additionally, Umesh Yadav has a strong head-to-head record against Glenn Maxwell in T20s, dismissing him four times in seven innings and only conceding 31 runs off 28 balls.

The Chinnaswamy Stadium has seen a total of 102 sixes in the IPL 2023 so far, which is the highest at a venue this season.

The pitch is expected to be an easy-paced track, allowing batters to hit through the line.

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The ball could swing early in the evening, especially if the overhead conditions are cloudy, and skid onto the bat later under lights.

RCB director of cricket Mike Hesson has emphasized that his team is not taking KKR lightly despite their winless run, and Jason Roy has stated that KKR’s batting struggles are not due to a lack of hard work.