The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have tried different playing combinations in IPL 2017, but things have just not clicked for last season's runners-up. Things are in contrast for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who have been one of the best teams this season. The two teams are set for a huge encounter in Bangalore on Sunday, May 7.
RCB have made some major changes in the playing XI in the past few matches, and did not mind dropping the likes of Chris Gayle, too. So, it will be interesting to see the number of changes they will make in the team or will RCB stick with the same team, which lost to Kings XI Punjab?
Here is how this RCB vs KKR match coould go
Adam Milne might come back into the team for Shane Watson, who failed with both the bat and ball. However, it will be of huge interest to see if Gayle will once again be dropped and be replaced by Travis Head. However, with Head also not having really done well, Gayle could retain his place.
The Indian bowling contingent of the playing XI could be the same, which includes Yuzvendra Chahal, Sreenath Aravind, Aniket Choudhary. After having bowled well as a unit against Kings XI Punjab, these bowlers deserve places in the first eleven.
KKR, on the other hand, should be pleased to welcome the expected return of Robin Uthappa, who missed their last match. He should replace Sheldon Jackson. The Karnataka batsman has been their in-form player of IPL 2017, and his return will only strengthen their already existing strong batting line-up, which also includes Manish Pandey and Gautam Gambhir.
There are talks of the Chris Lynn coming back after his shoulder injury as well. But, he could only play if he is cent percent fit for the RCB clash.
Gambhir, KKR skipper, may not a big believer in changing the team, but with two back-to-back losses, he could think of making some changes in their bowling department as well.
Piyush Chawla could replace Kuldeep Yadav, who has only taken one wicket in his last three matches. The leg-spinner is known for his wicket-taking skills, which is what KKR would want, especially against the RCB which will want to end their disastrous 2017 campaign with a couple of wins.
Confirmed playing XI
RCB: Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Mandeep Singh, Travis Head, Kedar Jadhav, Pawan Negi, Samuel Badree, Sreenath Arvind, Yuzvendra Chahal, Aniket Choudhary
KKR: Chris Lynn, Gautam Gambhir, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Sheldon Jackson, Chris Woakes, Colin de Grandhomme, Sunil Narine, Piyush Chawla, Ankit Rajpoot, Umesh Yadav
