Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were outclassed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their first Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 game. RCB once again relied on their batting-heavy lineup but new KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik gambled by giving the ball to Nitish Rana against Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
RCB are playing at their homeground M. Chinnaswamy stadium and it is yet to be seen how the pitch will behave this year. There are a number of feats to be achieved in the second match against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).
1. Kohli is just one six away from going past former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper David Warner’s tally of 160 sixes. Warner will not be able to catch up at least this year as he has been banned by Cricket Australia for one year. Kohli can also go past teammate AB de Villiers as well. De Villiers has 162 sixes.
However, the way both are performing, it will be a tussle that will go on throughout the tournament. Kohli is currently in 5th position along with Warner. The list is led by KXIP opener Chris Gayle.
2. There are more feats to be achieved for Kohli. The 29-year-old can equal CSK batsman Suresh Raina’s number of half-centuries in IPL. Kohli is in fifth position with 30 half-centuries whereas Raina is in fourth position with 31 half-centuries. The list is led by Warner and Delhi Daredevils (DD) skipper Gautam Gambhir with 36 half-centuries.
3. If Kohli takes two catches in the match, he will be the fifth in the list of most catches taken by a player in IPL. He has 60 catches whereas Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has 61 catches. De Villiers is currently in the second position with 74 catches. The list is led by Raina with 84 catches.
When the captain isn’t taking knock downs or catch-ins, he’s busy setting records and orchestrating victory plans! #PlayBold pic.twitter.com/XMLcUnVECe
— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) April 13, 2018
4. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has a chance to become RCB’s leading wicket-taker in IPL. Chahal has 70 wickets whereas Vinay Kumar who is currently playing for KKR has 72 wickets playing for RCB. Three wickets against KXIP will ensure that Chahal occupies the first spot.
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5. Brendon McCullum needs just two catches to become the 21st fielder to take 100 catches in T20 cricket.
6. Shane Watson can go past RP Singh and Dale Steyn in one go. Watson has 90 wickets in IPL so far. With one wicket he can go past RP Singh and if he manages to take three wickets he will overtake Steyn. He has a chance at jumping two spots and become the 13th highest wickettaker in IPL history.
