IPL 2021, KKR vs RCB: Kohli-Cummins to Dre Russ-Jamieson, 5 key battles to watch out

KKR take a slight edge in the head-to-head with 14 wins as opposed to 13 RCB wins in their 27 meetings in IPL.

Virat Kohli file photo, Image credit: Facebook/RCB
By Amruth Kalidas | May 2, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

While sixth-placed Eoin Morgan-led KKR come into the contest on the back of a defeat to Delhi Capitals, third-placed Virat Kohli’s RCB are also fresh from a demoralising defeat to Punjab Kings.

RCB were leading the table with four wins on the trot, but have slipped to third spot at the halfway stage after suffering two defeats from their last three matches. KKR, meanwhile, also hold the same record of one win in their last three matches and occupy the sixth spot with just two wins in seven. In the reverse fixture, RCB defeated KKR by 38 runs thanks to AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell’s fifties along with some splendid death bowling by Harshal Patel. However, KKR take a slight edge in the head-to-head with 14 wins as opposed to 13 RCB wins in their 27 meetings in IPL.

Here are the Top 5 Key Battles:

Virat Kohli – Pat Cummins

Opening the innings, Kohli is likely to face the fiery Pat Cummins. Last year, with the price tag of being the most expensive player, he seemed to be under pressure.

But this season, Cummins has looked a lot more settled and effective. Pat Cummins has been the best bowler for KKR and has picked up 9 wickets He did a good job with 3 for 24 against DC. Cummins has been able to bowl at a swift pace and his rhythm also looks good. The Aussie loves setting up the best batsmen from the opposition. He undid Rohit Sharma with proper variations and would target Kohli’s wicket on Monday.

Kylie Jamieson – Andre Russell

Dre Russ looks to have found his mojo back after disappointing performances in the first half of the league stage. He will be likely to face the tall Kiwi bowler in the middle overs or at the back end.

There has been massive hype around New Zealand’s pace bowling all-rounder Kyle Jamieson in the build up to the IPL. And, while he has not been sensational, he has definitely made an impact with key scalps. In the match against MI, he dismissed Suryakumar Yadav at a crucial juncture in the game. Versus SRH as well, he sent back David Warner with a smart piece of bowling, unsettling his rhythm. Both the wickets can be termed as game changing ones. Against KKR, Dre Russ could be the big scalp Jamieson might target.

Yuzvendra Chahal – Eoin Morgan

Yuzvendra Chahal has been RCB’s best bowler over the years. He controls the flow of runs in the middle overs and chokes the opposition batsmen. But this season he has failed to deliver with the ball, he has only 4 wickets in the 7 matches played.

Shubman Gill has struggled with the bat opening for KKR. He has only managed to score 132 runs in 7 matches at an average of 18.8, when compared to his previous years average of 33.84 it’s a massive problem for the KKR dugout

Will Gill be able to milk Chahal or will the leg spinner have the final word?

Glenn Maxwell – Prasidh Krishna

An attacking batsman against a seamer makes for an intriguing contest. And RCB’s big show, Glenn Maxwell is among the most aggressive batsmen on the T20 circuit. He has made a huge difference to the RCB squad this season. If he manages to go big, he will make sure that the opposition pays for it.

However, Prasidh Krishan has been the second-best bowler for KKR after Pat Cummins. He has picked up 8 wickets in 7 matches played. He has performed against the best in the business and has made his mark with his guile. 

Virat Kohli- Varun Chakravarthy

One of the best limited-overs batsmen, Virat Kohli will be up against the rookie bowler Varun Chakravarthy.

The RCB skipper has been inconsistent with the bat so far in the tournament and he will be aiming to rectify that. However, Virat is striking the ball well and that doesn’t bode well for the opposition.

Varun has been amongst the wickets this season, he has managed to pick up 7 wickets with best figures of 2/32. His variations have troubled one of the best batsmen in this IPL. Virat has already been a victim to Varun’s bowling this season, the mystery spinner got rid off him in the first over when both these sides met in the first half of the league stage.





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