Bottom-placed Royal Challengers look to continue resurgence
Kings XI, who have a number of former RCB players in their roster, will also be looking to put their up-and-down campaign back on track
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In the news
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman's fitness status is still uncertain. He is being constantly monitored by the Kings XI physiotherapist, and a call on his availability will be taken on the afternoon of the match.
Previous meeting
Likely XIs
Strategy punt
- It might end up back-firing, but Kings XI should try to use spin against de Villiers, especially early on. De Villiers has been among Royal Challengers' best batsmen, as always, but his numbers against spin in IPL 2019 are shockingly mediocre: an average of 19.6 and a strike rate that's only 115.3. The combination of R Ashwin, M Ashwin and Mujeeb could exploit that, which makes Mujeeb's participation even more crucial. Additionally, even Parthiv Patel and Marcus Stoinis haven't been too hot against spin this IPL, with strike rates marginally above 100.
Stats that matter
- Before Steyn joined Royal Challengers, their bowling average in the Powerplay across eight matches was 140.3. Since he's come on, for the last two games, that figure is 9.9.
- Navdeep Saini has the best dot-ball percentage in the death overs this season, with 45.8% of his deliveries between overs 17 and 20 not scored off. He's ahead of the likes of Jaspit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga and Kagiso Rabada.
- Historically, both teams have been pretty evenly matched, with Kings XI having 12 wins to Royal Challengers' 11. But Royal Challengers have won the last three meetings between the two sides.
Saurabh Somani is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo