In the 28th match of the IPL 2020, Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are playing against Dinesh Karthik-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium (Sharjah).
Both teams are playing their seventh match of the IPL 2020. KKR are currently in the third position in the points table with 8 points as they have won four matches and lost two others. While RCB have the same points (8 points) due to the same fate (4 wins and 2 loses), they are standing in the fourth position in the points table.
Last time, they met during the 35th match of the IPL 2019 at Kolkata (19th April 2019), where RCB ended their five-match losing streak against KKR by winning that match by 10 runs, which was also their first successful defend against KKR.
IPL 2020, Match 28: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders (RCB vs KKR) – Toss Report
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first. RCB made the only change in the playing XI. Mohammed Siraj came in the squad as the replacement of Gurkeerat Singh Mann.
Kohli said, “We will bat first. A high scoring ground, the pitch might become slower and slower – scores are coming down in the last couple of games. There’s no grass on the surface, so it can get scuffed up. We’re confident in our bowling, it’s important to execute our plans, Chris Morris was a huge plus. We have spoken about partnerships, a good start will help us more. One change – Siraj comes in for Mann, gives us an extra bowling option on a small ground like this.”
On the other hand, KKR captain Dinesh Karthik confirmed that they also made one change in the playing XI as Tom Banton replaced Sunil Narine.
Karthik said, “I’m happy to have lost the toss, might have batted first as well. It’s important that the bowlers believe in themselves, like it happened in the KXIP match where they dominated us for almost 39 overs. Banton is a special player, he’s a superstar in the making, he replaces Sunil Narine.”
IPL 2020, Match 28: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders (RCB vs KKR) – Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers (wk), Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Washington Sundar, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Tom Banton, Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik (C/wk), Pat Cummins, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy