RCB eye first win as KKR look to consolidate

NT Correspondent

The two outfits head into the game on the back of contrasting results. Seeking to consolidate their position after a winning start, Kolkata Knight Riders will have their task cut out as they take on a determined Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. While the Shreyas Iyer-led KKR humbled defending champions Chennai Super Kings by six wickets, Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered a five-wicket loss to Punjab Kings, despite posting a 200-plus score.

For RCB, skipper Faf Du Plessis is in prime form after he made a scintillating 57-ball 88 and would like to continue in the same vein. Opener Anuj Rawat was unable to capitalise on a good start and would be aiming for consistency.

Unburdened by the captaincy pressure, Virat Kohli made a statement and played with more intent against Punjab. He will definitely look to rediscover his glorious touch and continue to torment the opposition bowlers like he did during his prime.

Wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik also played a significant cameo and his role would be crucial once again, if RCB have to set or chase a big total.

If these four go all guns blazing, then it would be a daunting task for the varied KKR attack.

While the KKR bowling unit will have to be particularly cautious of the six-hitting prowess of Du Plessis, which was on display on Sunday, RCB bowlers would have to quickly forget the hammering they received at the hands of the Punjab batters.A profligate Mohammed Siraj, who leaked 59 runs, will have to pull up his socks. Another key bowler is death overs specialist and last edition’s Purple Cap holder Harshal Patel. Even the role of Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who is capable of spinning a web around the batters, could decide the fate of the match.Being an evening game, dew would certainly be a factor and one can expect a high-scoring affair.

Would be very emotional thinking about AB if we win IPL: Kohli
Virat Kohli feels if Royal Challengers Bangalore were crowned champions for the fi rst time in the coming seasons it would mean a lot to AB de Villiers, who would be the fi rst person on the former captain’s mind after the triumph.

“The other day, it got me thinking, if we manage to win the title in the coming seasons, I would be very emotional thinking about him fi rst,” Kohli, who had stepped down as captain after the 2021 season, said on RCB Bold Diaries. “Rather than what I would experience after such hard work of so many years, I would actually think of him.

“It would still mean a lot to him even if he is watching the game from home. He is a special human being as he has touched everyone, and we all can vouch for that,” he added. Kohli and de Villers -- the two talismans had raised the batting standards in the IPL year after year and shattered numerous records along the way.

“I have shared so many moments with him, highs and lows, everything we have been through he was right next to me."