IPL 2020, Match 28 preview: RCB vs KKR- Team analysis, along with Fantasy XI

Royal Challengers Bangalore are still in the hunt for the maiden title in the Indian Premier League. They have so far won four and lost two in six matches, as they are in the fourth spot. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders, too, have had a similar performance this season, as they are on the third.

In what could be considered as a clash of heavyweights, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are all set to take on former champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 28 of the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL). The game would be played in Sharjah, as the race for the top spot is on.

Both the teams have played the same number of matches so far. Interestingly, both have had the same results. In six matches, both have won four and lost a couple. While RCB are placed fourth, KKR are a spot above, on third, owing to a better run-rate.

Team composition
Both sides have a strong squad with a prominent difference. While both are balanced in all departments, RCB have a star-studded squad, as KKR mostly possess qualified youth talent, who have displayed their potential in the matches so far.

Current form
As for their current form, both the sides are coming off winning performances. While RCB tamed former champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 37 runs, KKR beat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in a thriller, by just two runs.

Head-to-head
To date, both the teams have met each other on 25 occasions, with KKR winning 15 and RCB winning 10. In the IPL, they have met 24 times, with KKR winning 14. They have also met once in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with KKR winning back then. The last game between the two sides ended in RCB's favour.

Weather and pitch report
The temperature in Sharjah would be around 37 degrees, which would certainly be hot. However, humidity is expected to be around just 32%. As for the pitch, it would likely assist the batsmen, with a flat track, along with shorter boundaries.

Probable XI
RCB: Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Washington Sundar, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal.
KKR: Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Sunil Narine, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (c) (wk), Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy, Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Kohli, Padikkal (c), Gill (vc), Morgan- Padikkal, along with Gill, could provide the perfect opening start, owing to their fine form, as they are the skipper and vice-captain, respectively. Meanwhile, Kohli and Morgan could give stability in the middle-order.
Wicketkeeper: De Villiers- The prevailing good form of the South African wicketkeeper makes him a must-have.
All-rounders: Dube, Russell, Narine- Dube and Narine are going to be impactful with their bowling, while Russell can do the same with both.
Bowlers: Chahal, Chakravarthy, Nagarkoti- Chahal and Chakravarthy are in fine form with their spin bowling and are likely to dominate, while Nagarkoti is expected to do the same with his pace.

Players to watch out
Kohli: The RCB skipper has jumped back to form following a wobbly start, as everyone would want him to fire on Sharjah's track.
Morgan: The English batsman has been KKR's guardian angel in the past few matches, as his architectural batting would impress everyone's eyes.
Narine: The mystery spinner played a huge role in the last game, with his economical bowling. While he would be backed to do the same, his suspect action would also have the eyes of the management on him.