Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made a thumping start their 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with two back to back wins. However, their winning run received a setback when they went down against Delhi Capitals (DC) last Saturday in the Super Over. But recovering from that loss, the Kolkata-based franchise will look turn the tables once again when they face bottom-placed Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 5 (Friday) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The Dinesh Karthik-led side has looked thorough with their top-order setting the stage for Andre Russell to barge on his carnage against the opponent bowlers. The Jamaican all-rounder has been in form, which has been a massive advantage for the Kolkata Knight Riders. The bowling also has done relatively a good job with Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla leading the ranks.
Sunil Narine who missed the last encounter with a slight niggled has recovered and is likely to slot in place of Nikhil Naik. This is probably the single change Karthik would like to make in otherwise a set playing XI. With a significant break between two games, Kolkata will look to come all guns blazing against Banaglore who are yet to win a match in the league.
Date and Venue: April 5 (Friday) at 8:00 PM IST, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
Here is the predicted XI of Kolkata Knight Riders for match 17 of IPL 2019 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru:
CHRIS LYNN
Chris Lynn has looked completely out of socks in the first three games of IPL 2019. The Australian cricketer will look to spend some time in the middle and time the ball to get his confidence back. Kolkata Knight Riders will want their star opener to hit the strides as the tournament embarks towards the midway of the season.
SUNIL NARINE
Sunil Narine has done an excellent job in the role of a pinch-hitter. He has struck the ball brilliantly to provide Kolkata with outstanding starts. However, he is yet to fire with the ball as he looks predictable after changing his action. Narine will also look to chip in with wickets in the middle overs and contain runs.
ROBIN UTHAPPA
Robin Uthappa is the backbone of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ batting unit. The experienced cricketer knows how to pace the innings and also has big shots in his kitty which has time and again helped the Kolkata-based franchise. Uthappa will look to continue doing the job he knows the best.
NITISH RANA
Nitish Rana has been in scintillating form right at the start of IPL 2019. He has scored runs and has provided stability in the Kolkata batting order. One of the most underrated youngsters of this country, Rana will look to focus on his job and score runs for his franchise.
DINESH KARTHIK
Dinesh Karthik has led this new side brilliantly in the last season and has carried on exactly from where he left. He has been a standout performer in the middle-order with his ability to finish games spot on. Karthik will look to take his side to the winning ways once again after going down against Delhi Capitals in the Super Over.
ANDRE RUSSELL
Andre Russell has been the standout performer for the Kolkata Knight Riders in this season so far. He has scored runs, picked wickets and has also grabbed catches for his franchise. The Jamaican all-rounder will look to keep up the good work throughout the tournament.
SHUBMAN GILL
Shubman Gill has a lot of potential and recently made his debut for the Indian team in New Zealand. Gill will look to get some batting time and strengthen his claim for a probable India spot.
PIYUSH CHAWLA
The veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla will have the job to stop the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. He also has a deceptive googly up his sleeves and will look aim to use it to perfection to contain the Bangalore batting within a small total.
KULDEEP YADAV
Kuldeep Yadav is currently the best spinner India have in the limited overs cricket. The young spinner has come up the ranks fast and is getting better every game. He will have the job to top two of Bangalore’s match-winners to hand Kolkata Knight Riders another win.
LOCKIE FERGUSON
Lockie Ferguson has bowled with good pace and has a good yorker in place. The New Zealand quick will look to use all his variation and provide early breakthroughs for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
PRASIDH KRISHNA
Prasidh Krishna has done an outstanding job after coming in as a replacement. He also did a good job in the last game against Delhi Capitals bowling in Super Over. This will give him a lot of confidence and the young fast bowler will look to grow from here playing at the biggest platform possible.