IPL 2021: KKR vs RCB- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Predicted Playing XI Against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

IPL 2021: KKR vs RCB- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Predicted Playing XI Against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will kick off their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 United Arab Emirates (UAE) campaign with a battle against team Royal Challengers Bangalore ( RCB) on September 20 at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

When the first half of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 ended Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were placed at the 7th spot with only 4 points in their bag. Things were not going right for the Eoin Morgan-led side and they managed to win only 2 out of 7 games played in the league.

Notably, this will be the second time KKR will be going head to head with RCB in IPL 2021. The first match between the teams took place in Chennai on April 18, 2021, and RCB won that game by 38 runs. Notably, RCB posted huge 204 runs on the board which team Kolkata Knight Riders was unable to chase.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders will be hoping to get into winning ways when the IPL 2021 UAE leg starts. Notably, KKR has made one forced change in the squad as Tim Southee has come in as a replacement for Pat Cummins.

Here’s a look at our KKR’s predicted playing XI for the 31st match of IPL 2021 between KKR and RCB.

IPL 2021: KKR vs RCB- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Predicted Playing XI Against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Shubman Gill

The 22-year-old Shubman Gill will once again get the opportunity to open the innings for the Kolkata Knight Riders. He is one of the vital members of the lineup and will have a big responsibility to provide Knight Riders good starts in the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

During the first phase of IPL 2021, Gill had a poor outing as he managed to score only 132 runs in 7 games at a poor average of 18.85 and strike rate of 117.85.

Nitish Rana

The 27-year-old Left-handed batter Nitish Rana will be the second opener of Eoin Morgan’s led side and will be hoping for even better performance in IPL 2021 UAE leg. Kolkata Knight Riders want Rana and Gill to play aggressively at the top order, unlike the last season where they played with a slow strike rate.

During the first phase, Rana scored 201 runs for KKR at an average of 28.71 and a strike rate of 122.56.

Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi is one of the most underrated batsmen in the Indian Premier League. If he gets the right opportunity then Tripathi can play the role of a game-changer. He possesses the capability to play explosive knocks which will be helpful for team Kolkata Knight Riders.

Rahul Tripathi was part of all 7 games KKR played in the first phase of IPL 2021 and scored 187 runs at an average of 26.71 and strike rate of 135.50.

Eoin Morgan

The explosive England batsman and skipper Eoin Morgan will be batting at the number 4 position. He is an extremely talented player and leader. Morgan has the capabilities to destroy the opposition bowling unit single-handedly. However, in IPL 2021, he failed miserably.

The skipper of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was able to score only 92 runs in 7 games at an extremely poor average of 15.33 and strike rate of 112.19. He will be looking forward to a better outcome in the second phase of the tournament.

Dinesh Karthik (wk)

The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Dinesh Karthik has been not having a great run on the field. However, off the field, he has been doing an amazing job as a commentator. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders will be hoping that experienced wicketkeeper-batsman performs well with the bat in the second phase of IPL 2021.

In the first half of the tournament, Dinesh Karthik scored 123 runs in 7 games at an average of 30.75 and a Strike Rate of 138.20.

Andre Russell

The West Indies powerhouse Andre Russell will once again be seen in the knight riders jersey. Russell has played several crucial knocks for team Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. However, the first phase of IPL 2021 was not very good for the fast bowling all-rounder. As the attacking batsman was able to score only 163 runs at an average of 27.16 and strike rate of 155.23. One thing is certain that if KKR wants to do good in the cash-rich league Andre Russell has to fire with the bat.

Sunil Narine

One of the most successful spinners in the history of T20 Cricket will play his part for Eoin Morgan led the side in the second half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Narine will be coming to IPL with a good form under his belt as he recently participated in CPL and bowled some very amazing spells.

In the first phase of IPL 2021, Sunil Narine picked 3 wickets in 4 games at an average, economy, and strike rate of 37.33, 7.00, and 32.00.

Lockie Ferguson

The New Zealand speedster Lachlan Hammond “Lockie” Ferguson is regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in the world at the moment. He has an amazing pace under his belt alongside excellent capabilities to deliver bowls in good line and length.

Lockie Ferguson didn’t get a chance to play in the IPL 2021 India leg and he was warming the bench as Pat Cummins was given the nod by the team. However, in the absence of Cummins, certainly, Lockie Ferguson will once again get the chance in Playing XI.

Prasidh Krishna

The 25-year-old pacer Prasidh Krishna is the future of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the India National Cricket Team. His raw pace and wicket-taking abilities have led him to get a permanent slot in the playing XI for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Prasidh Krishna looked amazing in the first half of the tournament as he managed to bag 8 wickets in 7 games at an average, economy, and strike rate of 30.37, 9.16, and 19.87.

Varun Chakravarthy

The mystery spinner has been the main spinner of team Kolkata Knight Riders since Kuldeep Yadav witnessed the downfall. Varun Chakravarthy has managed to trap the biggest batsman in the world in the IPL with his mystery spin, which eventually led to him getting a slot in India’s T20 World Cup team.

During the first phase of IPL 2021, Varun picked 7 wickets in 7 games. Meanwhile, when the IPL was held in UAE last time he was the most successful KKR bowler as he managed to pick 17 wickets for the team.

Kamlesh Nagarkoti

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