Royal Challengers face another must-win game

Monday, May 16, 2016
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)

With 1215 runs between them this season, including four centuries and eight half-centuries, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have been Royal Challengers Bangalore's key men. They have complemented each other perfectly, keeping their side in the hunt for the playoffs. Royal Challengers are fresh off the biggest win in IPL history, and currently have the best net run rate (+0.627) in the tournament. But they need to win their remaining three games to make the playoffs. A defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday would push them to the brink, leaving their fate out of their hands.

While the batting line-up has been in top form, there are still questions over Royal Challengers' bowling attack. Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa, who have added five fifty-plus partnerships this season, would aim to exploit that. Knight Riders also have firepower in the form of Yusuf Pathan and Andre Russell.

But it is Knight Riders' attack that gives them the edge. Russell and Morne Morkel have been hard to get away in the Powerplay. That Piyush Chawla and Sunil Narine found appreciable turn on Saturday would buoy Knight Riders further. Umesh Yadav's injury, perhaps, is the only worry for them. Knight Riders may head into the game, having lost their second spot, but a victory will firm up their bid for a top-two finish, as the league hurtles to the climax.

Kolkata Knight Riders WLWWL (last five matches, most recent first)
Royal Challengers Bangalore WLWWL

Yusuf Pathan has floated in the batting line-up, but has consistently fired for his team. His last four innings read - 37*, 63*, 19* and 60*. Yusuf averages 132.5 and has struck at 165.62 this season. Knight Riders would breathe easy if Yusuf continues his strong form.

With three centuries in IPL 2016, Virat Kohli has been unstoppable. That his last two tons have come in winning causes should please him. He had recently said that he relished the pressure of playing in knockout scenarios. Can the bowlers rally around him?

Having picked up a hamstring injury, Umesh missed Knight Riders' rain-hit game against Rising Pune Supergiants on Saturday. If he takes more time to recover, Ankit Rajpoot, the fast bowler, is likely to get his second game of the season.

Kolkata Knight Riders (probable): 1 Robin Uthappa (wk), 2 Gautam Gambhir (capt), 3 Manish Pandey, 4 Yusuf Pathan, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Suryakumar Yadav, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Piyush Chawla, 9 Sunil Narine, 10 Ankit Rajpoot, 11 Morne Morkel

Chris Gayle has eight successive single-digit scores since his 47-ball century against England at the World T20. Will Gayle be given a longer rope or will Travis Head earn a recall? If Head gets the nod, KL Rahul could move back to the top, where he has had success.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (probable): 1 Chris Gayle/Travis Head/, 2 Virat Kohli (capt), 3 AB de Villiers, 4 Shane Watson, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Sachin Baby, 7 Stuart Binny, 8 Chris Jordan, 9 S Aravind, 10 Varun Aaron, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal

Contrary to reputation, the Eden Gardens surface hasn't offered much assistance for the spinners and has been good for batting. Rain played a part in the outcome on Saturday and could once again have a say in the result as thunderstorms have been forecast on Monday afternoon.