IPL 2021 Match 30: Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore Betting Preview

IPL 2021: Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore – Preview, Prediction, Probable Playing XIs and Value Bets.

Match Details
Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Monday, May 3rd, 2021
16:00 SA Time

Betting Preview

The 30th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) sees Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) go head to head at in Ahmedabad. The two teams have faced each other 27 times with KKR edging it 14-13. In IPL 2021, RCB beat KKR comprehensively in the first fixture courtesy of Maxwell and de Villiers madness.

Kolkata Knight Riders have had a pretty mediocre first half season with five losses in their first 7 games. Their issues are deep-rooted and very hard to solve mid-season. KKR batting unit just hasn’t clicked collectively and have lost due to it, their top order is extremely vulnerable. Captain Morgan’s form is also a serious concern for them. KKR bowling has looked toothless too with few wickets coming from other bowlers except Varun Chakravarthy.

Royal Challengers Bangalore are coming into the game after a 34-run loss to the Punjab Kings. They’re currently sitting at the third spot in the points table with five wins out of sevens games. RCB’s bowlers once again went the distance against PBKS, leaking 179 runs after they had reduced PBKS to 118-5 in 14.4 overs. The purple cap holder, Harshal Patel has been very expensive since they’ve shifted from Chennai to Ahmedabad. Captain Virat Kohli’s strike rate in this season is turning out to be a huge concern for RCB. Their issues against spin could be exploited even more.

Injury and Availability News

Kolkata Knight Riders will have all their players available but the coach Brendon McCullum has hinted at some shakeup in the playing XI. Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have flown back home due to personal reasons. Scott Kuggeleijn has joined the team as a replacement.

Probable Playing XI

Kolkata Knight Riders

Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (c), Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Pat Cummins, Sunil Narine, Shivam Mavi, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers (wk), Daniel Sams, Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Pitch and Conditions

The Motera stadium is a tricky venue with assistance for everyone. The ball moves early and the pitch gets easy to bat on as the innings progresses. The average first innings score in four matches at this venue in IPL 2021 is 156.

Key Players to Watch Out For

Andre Russell: The Jamaican all-rounder is a cheat code in T20 cricket. Dre Russ can decimate bowling attacks and can bowl at 140+ clicks. Russell, after an underwhelming season last year, is coming into his own with a 22-ball-54 against CSK and 27-ball-45 against DC. The last time KKR played RCB, Russell was hammered by AB de Villiers and was visibly frustrated. He’ll try everything to take revenge on RCB.

Varun Chakravarthy: The KKR spinner has risen to fame after doing an outstanding job in IPL 2020 where he picked up 17 wickets and conceded runs at only 6.85. He has been impressive this season too, picking up 7 wickets at an economy of 7.8. Chakravarthy will have the challenge of RCB’s blockbuster batting line up. In the previous fixture against RCB, Chakravarthy was taken apart by Glenn Maxwell, returning with figures of 2-39 in his four overs.

Glenn Maxwell: The Australian all-rounder has had a terrific start to his IPL 2021 campaign with 223 runs in 7 matches at an average of 37.2 and a strike rate of 144.8. However, he has recorded a couple of 20s and a golden duck in the last three games. Maxwell had scored a magnificent 78 off 49 in the previous fixture against KKR. He’ll once again be looking to impose his authority on KKR spinners.

AB de Villiers: The greatest all-format batter in the 21st century has dominated the IPL like no other. AB de Villiers has time and again, done unthinkable on the cricket field. The South African legend has scored 5056 runs in IPL at an average of 40.8 and an extraordinary strike rate of 152.4. The last time RCB faced KKR, de Villiers displayed his freaky nature in his phenomenal knock of 76 off 34. He will once again be the biggest threat to KKR.

What Bets To Take

Kolkata Knight Riders

Nitish Rana/Shubman Gill to be KKR’s top batsman at 3.75.

Varun Chakravarthy to be KKR’s top bowler at 3.75.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli to be RCB’s top batsman at 2.90.

Harshal Patel to be RCB’s top bowler at 3.75.

Prediction: Royal Challengers Bangalore to win at 1.64.