Preview & Prediction: Match 6 (RCB vs KXIP)

Battle of the Reds

Playing against their former franchise where they got major recognition, KL-Mayank-Gayle should be raring to go having played them so much in the nets. RCB should be the favorites with Padikkal, AB and Kohli already showing signs of supreme touch. RCB's bowling will remain a cause of worry till the Death-bowling specialist-Morris joins the playing XI. KXIP's middle order voids should cancel out the bowling woes of RCB.

Pitch

Dubai: Pitch is expected to slow down as time progresses. Dew will help in chasing. 
 

Probable XI

RCB: Padikkal, Finch, Kohli, ABD, Dube, Phillippe, Sundar, Saini, Umesh, Chahal, Steyn
Same playing XI as Morris is yet to completely recover.

KXIP: Rahul, Gayle/Pooran, Mayank, Maxwell, Karun, Sarfaraz, Gowtham, Cottrell, Mujeeb, Shami, Bishnoi
Gayle might get a go ahead of Pooran against his former franchise. Jordan is most likely to be dropped for Mujeeb.
 

Head to Head
Head to Head across seasons both teams are tied at 12-12. However, RCB have won 6 of their last 8 games vs KXIP including the current win streak of 4.

 

Players Match Up
 

-ABD averages 198 vs KXIP in the last 2 seasons with 1 dismissal. Strikes at 162
-ABD strikes at 210 vs Shami without any dismissals.
-Kohli averages 50 vs KXIP since 2018
-Kohli averages 13.3 vs Shami. 10.5 in the last 2 seasons.
-Mayank & Gayle average 17 vs Umesh.
-Finch has lost 2 wickets for 2 runs in 7 balls vs Fast bowlers since 2018

 

Fun Stats

-Punjab wins 80% of their games when Nair scores 30+
-KXIP lose 75% of their games when Pooran strikes at 150+

Fantasy Team

-KL Rahul (Captain)
Didn't have a good outing the last match. Players in his kind of form, don't wait long before posting huge scores.

-Virat Kohli (VC)
Looked in good touch the last game. Got out on probably the first ball he attacked. He would want to rectify that.
 
-Padikkal, ABD, Chahal, Saini, Phillippe
Obvious picks from the RCB camp after their last match performance except for Phillippe who is too good to not perform again if he is included in the XI. Finch looked out of sorts.

Shami, Mayank, Bishnoi, Maxwell
Gayle can be picked if he plays. Pooran is doubtful to strike back in form so soon.

Records

ABD, Kohli & Gayle have 600+ runs for a team in RCBvsKXIP clashes. Gayle overall has more than 700 runs playing for both teams.