RCB vs KKR: Death-over bowling would decide the outcome
What's the story
Two of the most inconsistent teams in IPL this season, RCB and KKR will go head to head at the Chinnaswamy Stadium tonight. Death over bowling has been an issue for both the sides and with big-hitting batsmen in their ranks, this could be a run feast. Virat Kohli and Co. would look to stomp their authority at home. Here is the statistical preview.
Big problem
ABD and Kohli haven't been at their best against KKR
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have both struggled to score runs against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Kohli has 422 runs in 18 innings at an average of 26.37 while ABD has scored 299 runs in 16 innings. KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik is shy of 5 runs to complete 20,000 runs across all formats in his professional career.
Nemesis
Uthappa has been a thorn in RCB's flesh
Robin Uthappa has a stunning batting average of 38.50 against RCB in IPL. He has scored 462 runs in 15 innings against them. Uthappa has scored 1,969 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL so far. The right-handed batsman needs 31 more runs to become the second player to score 2,000 IPL runs for Kolkata-based franchise. Former skipper Gautam Gambhir has 3035 runs.
Milestones
Piyush Chawla two wickets away from reaching a milestone
KKR's Piyush Chawla needs 2 more wickets to claim 50 wickets for the Knight franchise. He will become the second player to do so after Sunil Narine. RCB's pace specialist Umesh Yadav needs three more wickets to complete 500 wickets across all formats of the sport. Umesh completed 100 wickets in IPL during his last match.
Key battles
Interesting face-offs to watch in this fixture
Chawla has dismissed ABD 4 times in IPL, which is the joint-most the South African has lost his wicket to any bowler. Virat Kohli has scored 61 runs off 61 balls from Narine since 2013 in IPL. Kohli's strike rate of 100 (vs Narine) is his lowest against a spinner. Narine is the only spinner to bag Kohli's wicket more than once.
Pitch report
Spinners will have the final say tonight
The Chinnaswamy stadium has a history of assisting batsmen, with the ball coming on nicely onto the bat. Smaller boundaries make it easier for the batsmen to clear the ropes with ease. However, if you are a spinner, this pitch has a lot on offer and with both sides boasting quality spinners, it remains to be seen who will come out on top tonight.