Kolkata Knight Riders have won the toss and have invited Royal Challengers Banglore to bat in the third game of IPL 2018. The match is taking place in Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
KKR captain Dinesh Karthik (R) and his teammate Robin Uthappa during a press conference and jersey of launch ahead of IPL 2018, in Kolkata Photo: File PTI
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) will open their IPL 2018 campaign in Match 3 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. A new-look Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), sans their most successful captain Gautam Gambhir, will look to outshine a strong Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) led by the ever-resurgent Virat Kohli. The last time KKR and RCB played at the Eden Gardens, RCB were all out at 49, creating an unwanted record as they scored the lowest team total in the history of the league.Rain could play spoilsport in Kolkata Knight Riders' opening game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected in Kolkata on Sunday as the cricketers and fans will have their fingers crossed for the marquee IPL clash.
Here are a few things you should know about Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore match being played in Kolkata, the two squads and what to expect from Sunday's second match:
Batsmen to look forward in the Kolkata Knight Riders team: The last time these two teams met, Sunil Narine shredded the RCB bowlers – not with the ball, but with the bat; the Trinidadian scored the (equal) fastest 50 in the IPL, needing only 15 balls to reach the milestone. Given the dearth of experienced batsmen in the squad and very limited options available to choose from, Chris Lynn and captain Dinesh Karthik – who will be playing his first game since the match-winning last ball six in Sri Lanka – will be expected to make big contributions with the bat.
Batsmen to look forward in the Royal Challengers Bangalore team: RCB yet again have a solid batting line-up, and unlike the past where it was top-heavy, this season they have quality batting options right through. However, there will still be dependence on the top-order – likely to comprise Brendon McCullum (or Quinton de Kock), Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers – to do the bulk of the damage. The surprise element will be youngster Sarfaraz Khan, whom RCB retained before the IPL 2018 auction.
Bowlers to look out for in the Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore: The team suffered a blow in the days leading to the start of this season when Mitchell Starc, who was expected to be the team’s bowling spearhead, was ruled out because of a stress fracture. However, they have been able to procure the services ofEngland’s Tom Curran as a replacement. KKR also have India's U-19 bowling stars Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi, who can bring variety to the side. While, RCB have some quality spinners like Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal and pacers like Umesh Yadav and Tim Southee.
What Dinesh Karthik said on the eve of the match: Dinesh Karthik on Saturday said he will use the experience of his freak unbeaten eight-ball 29 and manner in which he went about proceedings in such a pressure situation in the tri-series final against Bangladesh to lead Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in this edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). "I think as a captain I will be looking to stay as calm as I can. Lot of times I am sure I will be put under the pump and I have to be able to react in a calm manner without getting too emotional about it," Karthik told reporters on the eve of KKR's opening game against Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
What Virat Kohli said on the eve of the match: Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli is all set to give up his opening slot and will bat at No 3, a position he has made his own in the national team. "In the past, it was more or less that I had to. I quite enjoyed that role. Predominantly, I will start at number three, having specialists at that order and that I have done well for Indian team at no 3. I've a good understanding of playing at that position (No 3) and gives the team a lot of stability. I see myself starting there but it depends on who we playing against. But we are going to be flexible, adapting to different conditions," Kohli added on the eve of their IPL opener against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens.
Team head to head:
Overall: Matches – 20, Kolkata Knight Riders won – 11, Royal Challengers Bangalore won – 9
At the Eden Gardens: Matches – 8, Kolkata Knight Riders won – 5, Royal Challengers Bangalore won – 3
Trivia ahead of KKR vs RCB match: The captain winning the toss opted to chase in each of the 7 IPL matches played at the Eden Gardens last season.
Kohli scored 1,750 runs as an opener from 43 innings at an average of 53.03
In the seven IPL matches played at the Eden Gardens last season, quick bowlers picked up a total of 61 wickets (at strike-rate of a wicket every 16.5 balls), while the spinners collected 24 wickets at a strike-rate of a wicket every 23 deliveries.
Only 3 players have captained the Kolkata Knight Riders in the ten seasons of the IPL so far – namely Sourav Ganguly, Brendon McCullum and Gautam Gambhir. Dinesh Karthik will become the 4th player to lead the franchise.