This article will talk about the probable XIs for both teams and continue with the Dream11 predictions and the winning fantasy team for the 31st game of the IPL 2021 between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore that is scheduled to take place on the 20th of September 2021.
The Kolkata Knight Riders led by Eoin Morgan are placed at 7th in the points table with just 2 wins from their 1st seven games and they will take on the Virat Kohli-led RCB for the 2nd time in this competition. The last time these sides met was in the 10th match of the tournament in Chennai way back in April.
Royal Challengers won that game by 38 runs. It was a rare high-scoring game at Chepauk this season as RCB ended up making 204/4 thanks to whirlwind knocks from AB De Villiers(76* off 34) and Glenn Maxwell(78 off 49). In the end, this proved more than enough to defend for Bangalore as KKR could manage only 1668/8. Harshal Patel bowled a tight spell of 2/16 while Kyle Jamieson picked 3 wickets.
In their respective last game, before the tournament came to a halt, RCB suffered its 2nd defeat of the tournament at the hands of PBKS by 34 runs while KKR lost to the Capitals by 7 wickets. This is particularly a must-win game for the KKR as they will aim to start the 2nd leg of the tournament with a win to get their campaign back on track.
Match Details
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Pitch and Weather: It will be a true batting surface in the early part of the competition and if the indication of the past edition to go by, the average score is likely to be between 160-170. Pacers might get some assistance with the new ball, while spinners also will be handy. The weather is likely to be sunny with the temperature touching to the late 30s even though it is a 6.00 PM start.
Date & Time: September 20, 6.00 PM Local time, 7.30 PM IST
Probable Playing XIs
Kolkata Knight Riders will hope to get batting combinations right in the 2nd half of the IPL. The top-order of KKR struggled to get going in the India leg of the tournament with the likes of Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi not being consistent enough to give a solid foundation for finishers Russell, Dinesh Karthik, or Eoin Morgan to take advantage on. So this will the area of concern and Lockie Ferguson may finally get a game as Pat Cummins isn’t available.
RCB has some personal changes in their overseas contingent with Tim David, Dushmatha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Goerge Garton getting their maiden IPL stints. But they have a settled core unit with the only setback is the absence of Washington Sundar in their ranks due to injury.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Virat Kohli(C), Devdutt Padikkal, Mohammad Azharuddeen or Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, AB De Villiers(WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Yuzuvendra Chahal, Mohammad Siraj
Kolkata Knight Riders
Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan(C), Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik(WK), Sunil Narine, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy, Tim Southee/ Lockie Ferguson, Prasidh Krishna
Match Prediction
Royal Challengers Bangalore will be favorites to make it 2 on 2 against the Kolkata Knight Riders this season. They have a much-settled unit compared to the KKR.
Fantasy Tips
Batsmen: Devdutt Padikkal has been impressive for the Challengers since he made his IPL debut and has a century to his name in the season already. So he is an obvious pick along with the talented Shubman Gill who had an ordinary IPL in India but we know about his capabilities. Virat Kohli is a must in any fantasy league though his returns in recent times have been ordinary. The last batsman who can be picked is Glenn Maxwell, who was terrific in the first half of IPL.
Wicket-Keeper: AB De Villiers can be the lone wicket-keeper of the side. He is a match-winner on a given day and is an ideal pick to have in dream 11.
All-rounders: The new recruit of RCB Wanindu Hasaranga can be selected. He contributes in all departments of the game and is an asset to have. 2nd pick in the all-rounder section is Sunil Narine who had a great CPL with the ball and was useful with the bat as well.
Bowlers: The highest wicket-taker in IPL 2021 thus far Harshal Patel can be picked from RCB along with Yuzvendra Chahal. From KKR, Prasidh Krishna and Varun Chakravarthy are ideal options.
Captaincy Choices
Fantasy Team: Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, AB De Villiers, Shubman Gill, Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sunil Narine, Harshal Patel, Yuzuvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna and Varun Chakravarthy
Captain – Virat Kohli
The RCB skipper can be made the captain of the side owing to his success rate as a batsman in the IPL.
Vice-Captain – Shubman Gill
Gill may not have lit the first half of IPL 2021 but is an extraordinary talent. Given the talent that he has and the likeness of him playing long innings, he can be made the vice-captain.
Dream11 Team
