IPL 2022 KKR vs RCB match: Players to watch out for today
The sixth match of IPL 2022 is between two strong teams, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). But the guards have changed this time. Shreyas Iyer is leading KKR this time while Faf du Plessis has replaced Virat Kohli as the captain of RCB.
In the head-to-head battle, KKR has won 16 times while RCB emerged victorious in 13. In the auctions, both the teams went fully prepared to have powerpacked players who could deliver the punches in the matches.
While KKR has a strong line-up of Andre Russel, Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer; RCB has Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glen Maxwell and Harshal Patel. Both the teams will fight a high-pitched battle today.
Here are some key players to watch out for in the match:
VIRAT KOHLI VS SHREYAS IYER
Virat Kohli was retained by RCB for a whopping Rs 15 crore. But Kohli had already decided to step down from RCB captaincy. After leading the team for almost nine years, Kohli could not win the title cup. Nevertheless, his batting skills have always kept him the top choice of the management.
In the last match against Punjab Kings, Kohli scored an unbeaten 41 off 29 balls. In the last season, Kohli played 15 matches, scoring 405 runs with an average of 28.92 and strike rate at 141.38.
To combat Kohli’s attacking display is Shreyas Iyer from KKR, who was picked at a huge price of Rs 12.25 crore at the auctions. His base price was Rs 2 crore. Shreyas Iyer also, standing true to his performance, led a convincing victory against the CSK in the first match of the tournament. Last season, he played only 8 matches in the second leg of the IPL, scoring 175 runs at an average of 47.
FAF DU PLESSIS VS VENKATESH IYER
Faf showed impressive fireworks in the first match against Punjab Kings when he scored 88 off just 57 balls. He was purchased at Rs 7 crore by RCB in the auctions. The South African batter was a sureshot choice for the RCB as he had a tremendous run with the bat with CSK in 2021. In the 16 matches that he played for CSK, he scored 633 runs at an average of 45.21 and strike rate 138.20.
Against Faf’s formidable batting is KKR’s Venkatesh Iyer, who is also a powerful hitter of the ball. He was one of the four retentions of KKR at Rs 8 crore. His base price was Rs 20 lakh in 2021. The opener can not only hit the ball well across the boundary, but can also deliver some good deliveries.
In 2021, playing for KKR, Iyer had a prolific run as he scored 370 runs in 10 matches at an average of 41.11 and strike rate 128.47.
MOHAMMAD SIRAJ VS UMESH YADAV
In their first matches in IPL 2022, both the bowlers shone. Mohammad Siraj took 2 wickets in 4 overs while giving away 59 runs. He was retained by RCB at Rs 7 crore. His fastest bowl in the IPL is at 145.97 kmph.
To counter Siraj, KKR has Umesh Yadav who had an outstanding previous match against CSK. Yadav got two wickets in the 4 overs he bowled, conceding just 20 runs. Yadav was with Delhi Capitals in 2021 when RCB had released him. In 2022, he was taken in by KKR for Rs 2 crore. The strongman, as he is known in the dressing room, will be to watch out for in IPL 2022.
ANDRE RUSSELL VS GLEN MAXWELL
In the league of explosive batters in the death overs, Andre Russell tops the list. The West Indian all-rounder was retained by the KKR for a massive Rs 12 crore. A trump card for the team; Russell has had a good run with KKR. He also faced some injuries in 2021, but still the management has shown faith in the Caribbean hitter.
In 2021, Russell played 10 matches in which he scored 183 runs at an average of 26.14 and had a good strike rate of 152.50.
Against Russell is RCB’s trump card Glen Mawxell, who the management retained at Rs 11 crore. The Australian hitter is known for his powerful batting skills in the shorter format. He had a good 2021 season where he amassed 513 runs in 15 matches at an average of 42.75 and strike rate 144.10. Maxwell was purchased by RCB in the 2021 player auctions at Rs 14.25 crore and has been an asset for the team since then.
HARSHAL PATEL VS SHIVAM MAVI
Harshal Patel was a surprise pick by the RCB at Rs 10.75 crore. Also known as Purple Patel, Harshal was the highest wicket taker in 2021 and had a purple cap in his kitty. In 2021, he played 15 matches and took 32 wickets. His economy rate was 8.14. It would be interesting to see how the Hyderabadi player performs for his team in this season.
Shivam Mavi is another premium pacer with KKR. He was purchased by KKR for a huge Rs 7.25 crore. He has been with KKR since 2018 and adds depth to the bowling line-up. Along with Pat Cummins and Umesh Yadav, Mavi strengthens the bowling line-up of KKR.
The match will take place at 7.30 pm today, March 30, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.