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Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL Tips - Hosts set to bring the Powerplay

By Sridhar Bhamidi

25 Apr 2023

Sridhar Bhamidi 25 Apr 2023

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Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL match predictions to be played in Bengaluru on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30pm IST
Royal Challengers Bangalore have scored the most powerplay runs in their last 7 IPL matches
Kolkata Knight Riders have conceded the most powerplay runs in their last 7 IPL matches
Faf du Plessis or Glenn Maxwell has top-scored for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 5 of their last 6 IPL matches
Can Royal Challengers Bangalore take revenge on Kolkata Knight Riders for their thrashing at the Eden Gardens earlier in the season?

Can Royal Challengers Bangalore cntinue their winning run by getitng past Kolkata Knight Riders? (Getty Images)

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL

A chance to get into double digits in the IPL 2023 season and also avenge the reverse fixture thrashing awaits Royal Challengers Bangalore as they host Kolkata Knight Riders. This IPL 2023 match #36 will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 26, Wednesday from 7:30pm onwards.

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL
Head to Head
Royal Challengers Bangalore Form
Royal Challengers Bangalore Team News
Kolkata Knight Riders Form
Kolkata Knight Riders Team News

The Royal Challengers received a royal thrashing in the reverse match but they are in great form going into this match. To go with that, the Knight Riders are in the midst of a dire stretch of form and are there for the taking. My pick though is in the powerplay market and I am backing Royal Challengers Bangalore to score the most powerplay runs of the match.

Royal Challengers Bangalore have scored the most powerplay runs in their last 7 matches (IPL)
Royal Challengers Bangalore have conceded the most 6s in 2 of their last 3 matches (IPL)
Kolkata Knight Riders have conceded the most powerplay runs in their last 7 matches (IPL)
Kolkata Knight Riders have hit the most 6s in their last 6 matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL)
Kolkata Knight Riders have won their last 4 matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore at this venue (IPL)

Head to Head

Of the 31 IPL matches between these sides so far, Kolkata Knight Riders have won 17 while the Royal Challengers Bangalore won 14. That included winning five of the last eight between these teams.

When they played earlier in the season at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata swamped Bangalore by 81 runs. Shardul Thakur’s blitzkrieg 68 was then followed by a spin show as Varun Chakaravarthy (4/15) and Suyash Sharma (3/30) weaved a web around the batters.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Form

Royal Challengers Bangalore have 8 points and are 4th in the standings. They have won three of their last four matches including two in a row.

It has been a breezy season for Faf du Plessis who’s leading their batting charts (405). The same can be said of Mohammed Siraj (13 wickets) who’s been sensational with the ball.

The concern for the Royal Challengers is that they still remain a three-batter team with barely nothing from the remaining batsmen.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Team News

Faf could once again be involved as an impact sub, owing to his injury. Josh Hazlewood is awaiting fitness clearance from Cricket Australia to get involved.

Kolkata Knight Riders Form

Kolkata Knight Riders have just four points from seven matches and just above the bottom because of higher net run rate. They have lost their last four matches and are looking for a moment of inspiration to get their campaign back on track.

For the Knight Riders, Rinku Singh (233) and Venky Iyer (254) have been leading their charge with the bat. Bowling has been about the spinners with Varun Chakaravarthy (10) leading the show.

Kolkata seem to be struggling with their team composition and are all over the place with their selections and changes.

Kolkata Knight Riders Team News

Jason Roy missed the last few overs when fielding in the last game, but could be available from the offset here. Shardul Thakur could replace Kulwant Khejroliya.

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL FAQs

Where can I watch the Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL live stream.

What time does Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL start?

This Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL match is being played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru at 7:30pm IST on Wednesday, April 26.

Verdict

Royal Challengers Bangalore were stunned by a Shardul Thakur counterattack in the reverse fixture and couldn’t recover from that. So much has changed from that time though as Bangalore look well placed for a revenge win over Kolkata. My pick though is in the powerplay runs market with Bangalore set to continue their stronghold in that count. I am backing Royal Challengers Bangalore to score more powerplay runs than Kolkata Knight Riders.