RCB Opt to Chase in Crucial Clash Against KKR at Eden Gardens
In a pivotal encounter at the iconic Eden Gardens, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis elected to field first after winning the toss against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The decision was driven by the historical advantage enjoyed by chasing teams at the venue.
“We will chase. This is probably a chasing ground, always has been,” du Plessis explained, citing the conducive conditions for pursuing targets. However, he acknowledged the slightly cooler temperatures compared to previous matches, indicating a potential shift in game dynamics.
Du Plessis expressed confidence in RCB’s formidable batting lineup, suggesting that their firepower could neutralize any target set by KKR. “The batting is so strong that a general score of 60-70 isn’t considered great. We know if we do a few things back, the momentum can be back and we do have the firepower,” he remarked.
To bolster their chances, RCB made three changes to their lineup, bringing in Kyle Jamieson, Mohammed Siraj, and Mayank Dagar.
Responding to du Plessis’ decision, KKR captain Shreyas Iyer expressed his team’s preference for bowling first as well. “Last afternoon game here, we know how the wicket plays, we would have loved to bowl as well,” he admitted.
Iyer emphasized the importance of simplicity and adherence to game plans, stressing the need for KKR to execute their strategies effectively. He confirmed that KKR would maintain the same playing XI from their previous match.
Playing XIs:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
* Faf du Plessis (c)
* Virat Kohli
* Will Jacks
* Rajat Patidar
* Cameron Green
* Dinesh Karthik (w)
* Mahipal Lomror
* Karn Sharma
* Lockie Ferguson
* Yash Dayal
* Mohammed Siraj
Kolkata Knight Riders:
* Philip Salt (w)
* Sunil Narine
* Angkrish Raghuvanshi
* Shreyas Iyer (c)
* Venkatesh Iyer
* Andre Russell
* Rinku Singh
* Ramandeep Singh
* Mitchell Starc
* Varun Chakaravarthy
* Harshit Rana
