A victory by RCB will strengthen their bid for a top-two finish and put a stop to KKR’s playoff aspirations. RCB vs KKR
The broader picture: the Chinnaswamy’s Kohli craze
Following an unannounced ten-day break due to border tensions between India and Pakistan, the competition that kicked off IPL 2025 is now back in the spotlight. As the IPL nears its conclusion, the calm of the previous week has gradually given way to a surge in anticipation as the simmering tension has subsided and a ceasefire has been established. RCB KKR
In order to make the IPL’s restart feasible, logistics staff from all over the world have been working nonstop, navigating the chaos of last-minute travel modifications, canceled plans, and stringent security procedures, even as a number of international players have gone home.
Amidst all of this chaos, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have had to get off to a quick start after only one complete session and a half (due to nighttime rain) to recover from a hint of rust and jet lag.
Over the past 48 hours, M Chinnaswamy Stadium has been bustling with activity. Virat Kohli’s return, which will be his first game since declaring his retirement from Test cricket last week, is a sentimental homecoming that is adding to the fervor.
Given the previous three days’ weather, KKR practiced in the early evening and RCB in the afternoon. While some players eased in more gingerly, others, like Mayank Agarwal, who was brought on late to replace the injured Devdutt Padikkal, were given extended runs.
Since placing second in 2016, RCB has failed to place in the top two. With eight victories, they are currently in second place and may break that record with just two more games. The road is far more uncertain for KKR. In order to ignite an unusual net run-rate shootout and slip into the playoffs as the fourth-place club, they need more than just back-to-back victories to reach 15 points; they also need a complex series of other outcomes to go their way.
Guide for forms RCB vs KKR
Royal Challengers Bengaluru WWWWL (most recent first, last five results)
LWWNL’s Kolkata Knight Riders
Rajat Patidar and Andre Russell are in the spotlight.
Before the Indian Premier League paused, Rajat Patidar‘s form had significantly declined. After a solid start, he had only averaged 10.6 in his final five innings after averaging 37.2 in his opening five games. At home, where he averages just 14.4 and strikes at 101, Patidar’s problems have been more pronounced. He struck at 169, however, and both of his half-centuries have since vanished. In addition to his form dip, he has also been hindered by a finger injury. Thankfully, though, the 10-day respite has allowed him to rest. Although RCB thinks he’s ready to play, match-eve will be the time to make a definitive decision.
Andre Russell has scored more runs (95 at a strike rate of 207) in his last two innings alone than he did in the entire season before that (72 in seven innings at 131). In terms of his ball-striking and the team management’s intention to give him more batting time rather than concentrating on particular entrance locations, there has been a noticeable change. RCB vs KKR Russell consistently smashed balls off of the ground on match eve, hitting them big and clean.
Also Read- Rohit Sharma’s Stand will be inaugurated at Wankhede Stadium.
Team updates and likely XII
Josh Hazlewood is not playing for RCB because he is still dealing with a shoulder ache. Although RCB and Cricket Australia are in constant communication, they are currently taking a wait-and-RCB vs KKR watch stance about his availability for the playoffs. Patidar is also under a little injury cloud, but it looks like he will play.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (likely XII): Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ten Yash Dayal, eleven Lungi Ngidi, twelve Suyash Sharma, seven Tim David, eight Krunal Pandya, nine Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and six Romario Shepherd
Rovman Powell and Moeen Ali are out for KKR. Every other player is available.
Kolkata Knight Riders (likely XII) Sunil Narine, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Venkatesh Iyer, and the 5. Manish Pandey/Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anrich Nortje/Spencer Johnson, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, and nine others
Conditions and pitch RCB vs KKR
Over the past week, Bengaluru has experienced sporadic thunderstorms. On training days, both teams were mostly covered all evening, so they were unable to see the surface. Bowlers will be able to get some zip off the surface and improve swing thanks to the moisture underneath. Thunderstorms are predicted for Saturday afternoon and evening.
