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IPL 2016, KKR vs RCB Playing 11: Probable XI for Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore(Confirmed XI)

Andre Russell has been KKR’s highest wicket-taker this season

Confirmed XI:

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Robin Uthappa(w), Gautam Gambhir(c), Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan, Suryakumar Yadav, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Sunil Narine, Ankit Rajpoot, Morne Morkel

Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers, Shane Watson, Lokesh Rahul(w), Sachin Baby, Stuart Binny, Iqbal Abdulla, Chris Jordan, Sreenath Aravind, Yuzvendra Chahal

The 48th match of the VIVO IPL 2016 is all set to be a treat for fans as the rampaging Kolkata Knight Riders take on the powerful Royal Challengers Bangalore at their home ground, the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. KKR have had a great season so far with 7 victories from 11 games and they are just one more win away from a spot in the playoffs. RCB have been among the more inconsistent sides in the tournament but have managed to pick up important wins to keep their chances of qualifying alive. Monday's match is of greater importance to the Bangalore team as they need to win the game to be in a better position to progress. However, even though Kolkata can afford to lose the match, they will be wanting to seal a berth in the playoffs as early as possible.

See also: KKR vs RCB Match Prediction: Who will win the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore

Here is the likely team which may represent KKR in the match:

Batting

The Knight Riders batting line-up has been in good form throughout the 9th edition of the IPL. Skipper Gautam Gambhir has been their leading run-scorer with 398 runs at an average of 44.22 and including 4 half-centuries. Robin Uthappa, too, has been resolute at the top of the order with 331 runs in 11 innings and has scored at a strike rate of slightly under 137.

Hard-hitting middle-order batsman Yusuf Pathan has also been in devastating form with a tally of 265 runs in 9 innings and a phenomenal strike rate in excess of 165. Among other batsmen, Andre Russell, Suryakumar Yadav and Manish Pandey have made useful contributions for the KKR side.

Shakib Al Hasan had been the only worry for Kolkata in terms of their batting but he, too, struck form with an unbeaten 66 in a match against Gujarat Lions.

All-rounders

Russell has been one of the top all-rounders in the 2016 IPL with quick runs in the last few overs and quite a number of wickets in his kitty. Shakib has done decently with the ball despite being a little out of touch with his batting. Pathan, though, has not been used as an all-rounder by skipper Gambhir as he has bowled just one over in the season.

Bowling

The bowling has been quite impressive from KKR this year and has helped their campaign in a big way. Andre Russell has grabbed 15 wickets and is currently the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has also been consistent and has a tally of 11 wickets from the 10 matches he has played till now.

Pacer Umesh Yadav has been in decent form with 10 wickets in 9 games; however, he has proved to be slightly expensive with an economy rate of 9. Morne Morkel, Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan and Brad Hogg have all picked wickets for Kolkata. The form of the bowlers has been a great relief for their captain as he has a lot of resources at his disposal.

Probable Playing XI

Gautam Gambhir (c), Robin Uthappa (wk), Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Piyush Chawla, Umesh Yadav, Morne Morkel.

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