A run-feast is expected at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, as the pitch is set to assist the batsmen. The Royal Challengers Bangalore will entertain the Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday in an IPL 2016 game. Both teams comprise of some wonderful batsmen, who can win matches on their own.
The match is of utmost importance for RCB. The home team have only registered two victories in six IPL 2016 matches. Such a win percentage is surprising, considering RCB were one of the favourites to win the title before the season started.
Here is a look at how the IPL 2016 match could go in Bengaluru.
If RCB bat first: The pitch in Bengaluru will stay true throughout the game, hence the team, which wins the toss, should bat second, and chase the score.
Chris Gayle delivers a perfect start for the first time in IPL 2016, as he hits two sixes in the second over of the game. Gayle is in the zone, and Kohli is playing the anchor role. Gayle is playing his shots to perfection, and helps his team score 59 runs in the first six overs, but loses his wicket in the seventh over. Kohli takes charge of the innings, and blazes away with some incredible fours on the offside. But AB de Villiers fails this time, and RCB are soon in trouble as they lose Shane Watson as well for one run. KL Rahul and Kohli steady the innings, and reach 134 in 16 overs. Kohli, while trying to be the aggressor, is caught in the deep, but Rahul and Kedar Jadhav hit some boundaries to reach a score of 175 runs in 20 overs.
Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa take on the RCB bowlers, scoring runs all around the wicket. Uthappa looks in top-class form as the right-hander comes down the track and hits one of the biggest six of the innings. Gambhir, meanwhile, is scoring his runs in boundaries. The duo score 58 runs during the Powerplay, and are in cruise control. The RCB bowlers have failed to trouble the openers, who reach 100 runs in the 11th over. Though Tabraiz Shamsi breaks the partnership, Colin Munro goes berserk, and hits the RCB bowlers for huge sixes, which inches KKR closer to a victory. KKR reach the target in the 19th over. Once again the RCB bowlers fail their batsmen.
If KKR bat first: Gambhir and Uthappa have provided some great starts to their team in IPL 2016, and they continue doing the same, scoring 51 runs in the first six overs. Uthappa cuts loose and hits two sixes in the eighth over, and falls in the same over. Munro plays his natural attacking game, and takes KKR past the 100-run mark in the 12th over. Gambhir, trying to up the ante, is stumped by KL Rahul. Andre Russell is promoted up the order, but fails to shine. Munro and Yusuf Pathan take KKR to 166 runs in 20 overs.
Gayle and Kohli provide a scintillating start, with both players hitting fours and sixes at will. Gayle is the dominant partner as the West Indian plays his best innings in IPL 2016, scoring a 15-ball 38, before being bowled in the fifth over. Kohli and De Villiers play some good shots and are heading towards the 100 run mark without taking many risks. With 70 runs required from 48 balls, Kohli and De Villiers show their class to help them reach the target in the 18th over.
