New Delhi: Hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore will face third placed Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 33 of the tournament. RCB have won just three games from seven matches and will need to get a home win in order to break into the top four.
Meanwhile, KKR have enjoyed a mixed run so far winning four and losing three games with one getting washed away.
RCB come from a commanding batting display against the Rajasthan Royals where they posted 200/7 but the match got washed out. KKR come to this game after clinching a win against Chennai Super Kings.
A win for Virat Kohli's side will help them climb up to fourth position on the points table. For Gautam Gambhir, picking up the two points will be crucial as they could rise to the second KKR had a double header against the CSK earlier this week, losing the first encounter by two runs and winning the next by seven wickets.
The last time KKR and RCB met in April 2015 and the latter won the match with Chris Gayle starring with the bat for them.
As two IPL sides clash who look to gain momentum , we highlight a key player from each side who could help his side emerge victorious at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Chris Gayle (RCB)
The West Indies stalwart has scored 219 runs in six matches so far for his side. Gayle recently crossed 500 sixes in T20 cricket and became the first man to do so. The southpaw won the game for RCB when they last met KKR after scoring a mammoth 96 runs. He was also instrumental against Delhi scoring 62* runs and helping his side to get a win calmly. Inconsistency is his problem but when Gayle gets going it's impossible to stop him. He will fancy the battle against KKR's spinners.
Brad Hogg (KKR)
The 44-year-old veteran has been the shining knight since replacing Sunil Narine in the team. Narine has been banned by the BCCI to bowl off-breaks and it's unlikely he will feature much in the tourney in the coming time. Hogg has taken the chance well and was tremendous against CSK in both the matches. He has already bagged five wickets in two games and is looking lethal for the team. Hogg's experience is proving to be vital for KKR and he can make the diefference against RCB with his variations.
