The Royal Challengers Bangalore batsmen have been brilliant in IPL 2016, but their bowlers have failed more often than not, leading to their dismal seventh position in the standings. The RCB bowlers need to stand up and be counted when they face the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday.
KKR started the competition well, with four wins in their first five matches, but they have lost their last two matches. They will be keen to get back to winnings ways, and climb the table in the process, with a win. Both teams are desperate for victory. Hence, a brilliant game is on the cards.
The RCB have a brilliant batting lineup, which includes Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Shane Watson and Chris Gayle. but the latter's participation in the game is not yet certain. The West Indian has not impressed in IPL 2016, and with KL Rahul looking decent in the opening slot, it would be wise for RCB to take a brave and bold decision to keep Gayle on the bench, and strengthen their bowling lineup by playing Chris Jordan instead. The Englishman was an injury replacement for Mitchell Starc.
"With the kind of batting lineup we have, we just have to sort out the bowling a little bit. With Jordan coming in from the next game, it will be a big inclusion to our bowling lineup. Our team is looking good. We just need to learn from the six games and see how we can pick ourselves up. I think we are peaking very well. I am very positive that our team is going to bounce back," Bangalore Mirror quoted Kohli as saying.
RCB bowlers have to get their act right in Bengaluru, or else one might once again witness a similar story – batsmen deliver, bowlers fail.
The KKR have some quality players in their ranks, with Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa at the top. They have firepower in the middle order as Andre Russell can use his big-hitting skills when required.
The openers – Gambhir and Uthappa -- have been in top form this season, and the RCB bowlers need to get them out early, if they are to avoid another loss in the competition. Gambhir and Uthappa have scored 302 runs and 242 runs respectively, which has helped them win quite a few of their matches.
KKR have some fine experience in their bowling lineup, with Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla in the spin department, along with Umesh Yadav and Russell as one of the key pacers. These bowlers need to keep things tight against the formidable RCB batsmen.
With both teams comprising of some good batsmen, the match might be decided by the team, whose bowlers excel in Bengaluru.
Where to watch live
RCB vs KKR IPL 2016 match – is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. IST (3:30 p.m. BST, 10:30 a.m. ET). Live TV coverage of the RCB vs KKR IPL 2016 match will be on Sony Max, Sony Six/HD, Sony ESPN/HD. Online options are available on Hotstar and Starsports.com.
Sky Sports 2 will broadcast the RCB vs KKR IPL 2016 match live in the UK and Ireland, with the live stream options on Watch Sky Sports and Sky Go.
Viewers in the US can watch RCB vs KKR IPL 2016 match onESPN, while the game can also be live streamed on Watch ESPN.Sportsnet and viewers in Canada can watch the RCB vs KKR IPL 2016 match on Watch Sportsnet.
OSN Sports Cricket will show Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2016 match in the Middle East and North Africa, while all the action can also be watched via live streaming online on OSN Cricket Play.
Supersport and Supersport Live Video will broadcast Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders in South Africa.
Viewers from across the world, around 133 countries, can watch the IPL 2016 match live online on Cricketgateway.
