IPL 2020: KXIP vs RCB Game Plan 1 – Virat Kohli and the spin-pace trick

KXIP vs RCB – The sixth match of the IPL 2020 tournament between the teams, Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore, could all be about match-ups. We take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the sixth game of the IPL. KXIP vs RCB – The spin-pace balance […]
 

KXIP vs RCB – The sixth match of the IPL 2020 tournament between the teams, Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore, could all be about match-ups. We take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the sixth game of the IPL.

KXIP vs RCB – The spin-pace balance

Despite getting a brilliant opening stand in the first game, the fact that RCB are still heavily reliant on Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers cannot be denied. While de Villiers showed his class in the death overs and made sure RCB put up a competitive total, Kohli’s innings at the point he came in left a lot to be desired.

Rashid Khan and Sandeep Sharma started as favorites against Kohli based on head to head records and Warner brought them into the attack as soon as Kohli arrived at the crease. The result was there for everyone to see; the RCB skipper was not able to tee off and the boundaries did not come before he got out trying to up the ante against Natarajan. Will Kohli get an easier matchup against KXIP?

Among the major bowlers available for KXIP, Kohli has faced Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Shami, K Gowtham and M Ashwin.

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Fair to say Kohli has struggled to against the KXIP bowlers and with three of the four bowlers likely to play the game, KXIP are in with a great chance to keep the RCB skipper silent. Moreover, young Bishnoi who impressed one and all with his skill and variations in his IPL debut, might also prove to be a threat to Kohli.

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After a poor outing in the last game, Jordan might make way for Mujeeb, which will be a good move considering Afghan spinner’s ability to bowl at any stage of the game including some overs at the death. Spinners have maintained an economy of 6.20 in the 2 games in Dubai so far and have picked a wicket every 11.07 balls. There is no reason why KXIP should not add an extra spinner in the XI when the spinner is of Mujeeb’s calibre.

KXIP vs RCB – Game Plan 1 – Kohli vs spinners

Despite being a good player of spin, Kohli has struggled to up the ante against spinners in the last couple of seasons. The spinners can be used to build pressure like SRH used Rashid against Kohli, and someone like Shami, who is a genuine wicket-taker can be brought on from the other end for the breakthrough. Shami has dismissed Kohli twice in just 14 balls since 2018.