KKR vs RCB Match Preview: Will it another KORBO LORBO JEETBO Day ?

It is often said “Cricket is a great leveler”. This year`s IPL has just proved that. The teams which were predicted to make it through to the playoffs and even were the top contenders for the IPL are nowhere to be seen in the points table. Yes, I am talking about teams like Mumbai Indians, SunRisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This year has been the year of the underdogs and I would bet with my eyes shut on an underdog to win this year`s IPL. Such has been the charm of the teams like KINGS XI Punjab, who were never considered even the dark horse in IPL from past many years, but look like the best team on the field this year. Chennai Super Kings have always been the favourites. And, to not much of a surprise Rajasthan Royals, the team which never fails to impress has been one of the consistent teams and are hopeful to make it to playoffs.

BIGGEST SURPRISE of the SEASON
The biggest surprise this year has been Kolkata Knight Riders. The team was said to have done the mistake of bringing back their oldies like Kallis, Yusuf Pathan and a struggling captain Gautam Gambhir. The inclusion of Pat Cummins in the last match was a good sign. He is a wicket taking bowler and has not been seen much off late. Gambhir started the season with some extremely terrible scores with the bat as well as with the points on the table. But since finding a stable opening pair in Robin Uthappa, he has taken his team to such brilliant wins which has made the other teams look like some domestic teams. If you don’t believe the above said lines read the following: ‘Gauti`s side has conceded the least number of runs, they have chased and won 5 matches on the trot, has been the team to concede the least number of runs in the last 5 overs and has won almost all the previous matches with 7 or more wickets in hand’.

For anyone who reads the game well will understand what this conveys to the team itself and the rivals. Gambhir has been lauded by their Bowling Coach Wasim Akram as an exceptional Leader but himself believes that “a CAPTAIN is as good as the TEAM”. They just need to win one game out of the next two to seal a place in the playoffs. Their next battle is against the Royal Challengers Bangalore today in Eden Gardens. RCB needs to win both of their remaining matches and will then have to depend upon the net run rate to make it to the playoffs. RCB lost their last match against SunRisers Hyderabad after posting a good score of 160. Their captain Virat Kohli is back in form and so is Yuvraj and AB Devilliers. But the problem their side has faced is that in bowling department where they haven’t been able to defend totals and their big man Chris Gayle is unable to fire.

It is going to be a match which might decide the third team to make it to the playoffs. RCB looked like coming together and playing as a unit at the right time but again slipped against the SRH. KKR on the other hand have been exceptional. Well to me it seems like the Kolkata fans will go back home singing altogether the KKR anthem. And myself being a KKR fan, cant wait for the moment to arrive where I can proudly sing KORBO LORBO JEETBO!