IPL 2021: KKR vs RCB, Match 30 – How can Kolkata Knight Riders bounce back with a win today


IPL 2021: KKR vs RCB, Match 30 – How can Kolkata Knight Riders bounce back with a win today

Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) today at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Eoin Morgan-led side are in a huge pickle at the moment as their performance have been largely below-par. With just two wins in seven matches, the warning bells have already started ringing for the team and head coach Brendon McCullum has already acknowledged it.

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RCB on the other hand are in a good place at the moment as they have five wins out of seven. Despite a loss in their previous match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), they would once again begin today’s match as favourites due to the excellent strength of their squad. Unless a batting implosion occurs, the Virat Kohli-led side would be difficult to stop.

On that note, we take a look at how KKR can defeat RCB today.

IPL 2021: KKR vs RCB – Key for KKR #1: Show intent

Nitish Rana
Nitish Rana

KKR have been woefully lacking in terms of intent with the bat as they have guilty of playing too conservatively before leaving the finishers with too much to do. The openers Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill hold key here and they must bat with a bit more freedom today. If they do so, it is bound to lift pressure off the likes of Eoin Morgan and Andre Russell.

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Further, it remains uncertain as to whether KKR would in fact, open with the aforesaid two as McCullum promised that there would be changes since the team combination was not working out. Whoever comes in must be asked to bat with intent for KKR to get an edge over RCB.

IPL 2021: KKR vs RCB – Key for KKR #2: Decide on a balanced team combination

Eoin Morgan and Shivam Mavi
Eoin Morgan and Shivam Mavi

As the head coach Brendon McCullum stated, there would be changes today, but the key is to decide on a balanced combination. The uncertainty over Sunil Narine‘s position in the batting order must be addressed and there must be depth in both batting and bowling.

The management holds the key here and if the selection is spot on with depth in both departments along with the introduction of new personnel, KKR might be able to upset RCB today. If not, the side will only sink further and their hopes of making it to the playoffs will start to dwindle.

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