Match 17 in the IPL sees Royal Challengers Bangalore host Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday and RCB are under pressure after losing all four of their matches so far.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB’s nightmare start to the tournament continued on Tuesday when they went down by 7 wickets away to the Rajasthan Royals. Parthiv Patel top scored for RCB with 67 of their bat first total of 158/4. That total didn’t look big enough and so it proved as the Royals got up, but only with 1 ball to spare.
Earlier matches saw RCB dismissed for 113 away to the Sunrisers who had piled on 231/2 in their innings and in their opening game they were bowled out for 70 at Chennai and the Super Kings won by 7 wickets. In between those defeats they were involved in a thriller at home to Mumbai Indians whose death bowling thwarted AB de Villiers victory charge and RCB went down by 6 runs. This is just their second home fixture and the situation is becoming increasingly desperate.
Kolkata Knight Riders
The Knight Riders have been resting since their most recent match which came in Delhi on Saturday. The game went to a Super Over after the scores were tied at 185. Although the Capitals hit just 10 runs in their Super Over, Rabada defended it, conceding just 7 and KKR tasted defeat for the first time this season.
Prior to the defeat in Delhi KKR put together back to back home wins over the Sunrisers (6 wickets) and the Kings XI (28 runs). Andre Russell and Nitish Rana were factors in both matches. Against the Sunirsers Rana made 68 and Russell blitzed an unbeaten 49 to take his side home. Against Kings XI Rana hit 63 and Russell 48 in a bat first total of 218 which the KKR bowlers successfully defended.
Head to Head
Matches 23, RCB wins 9, KKR wins 14
Last season the Knight Riders won by 4 wickets in Kolkata and 6 wickets in Bangalore
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Match Result
Royal Challengers Bangalore evens
Kolkata Knight Riders 8/10
Note: Prices correct at the time of posting but are subject to change
Betting Angle
It’s hard to believe RCB have yet to win when you consider they have Kohli and de Villiers in their side. They have struggled in all departments in the majority of their games although it’s worth noting by far their best performance came in their only home match so far, a game they probably should have won.
A chance is taken on RCB to open their account although they are a very risky proposition.
Bet: RCB to win at even money
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