After winning their opening four matches of the 2021 Indian T20 League season, Bangalore’s form has suddenly gone on a downward spiral. In their last three matches, they have managed to win just once and that too was a close one-run win over Delhi.
Up next for them is another relatively tough game against Team Kolkata. While it hasn’t really been a season to remember for the two-time champions so far, they have indeed managed to play beautiful cricket at times. As history suggests, both Bangalore and Kolkata have always been on the neck of each other. In a total of 27 matches, Bangalore have managed 13 wins while Kolkata 14.
| Kolkata vs Bangalore head-to-head record | ||
| Kolkata | Metrics | Bangalore |
| 27 | Matches | 27 |
| 14 | Wins | 13 |
| 51.85% | Win % | 48.15% |
It is, however, Bangalore who have enjoyed better results in their recent outings. Since the 2019 edition of the Indian T20 League, Bangalore have won three of their four meetings against Kolkata and this includes their big 82-run win from the last season.
While most of Kolkata’s batsmen have struggled for runs this season, a certain Dinesh Karthik will hope to build upon his figures against Bangalore. The wicket-keeper batsman has played 24 innings against Bangalore, scoring 421 runs in the process at an average of 20.04. Bangalore, on the other hand, will expect Virat Kohli to finally convert his innings into a big knock. The captain has scored 730 runs against Kolkata in 24 innings and this includes one century and four half-centuries.
| Best batsmen for Kolkata vs Bangalore | |||||||
| Batsman | Innings | Runs | High score | Average | Strike rate | 100s | 50s |
| Dinesh Karthik | 24 | 421 | 60 | 20.04 | 116.29 | 0 | 2 |
| Virat Kohli | 24 | 730 | 100 | 38.42 | 129.66 | 1 | 4 |
As far as bowling is concerned, Kolkata are certain to rely on Sunil Narine who has picked 16 wickets in 13 innings against Bangalore, and this has come at an economy of under seven. For Bangalore, while Yuzvendra Chahal is yet to make a strong mark, his record against Kolkata is something to keep an eye on. The leg spinner has picked 16 wickets in as many games against the two-time champions, bowling at an economy of 7.8.
| Best bowlers for Kolkata vs Bangalore | |||||
| Bowler | Innings | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
| Sunil Narine | 13 | 16 | 21.94 | 6.75 | 19.5 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 16 | 16 | 29.25 | 7.8 | 22.5 |
Kolkata may have the edge over Bangalore in their head-to-head record, but Virat Kohli and Co. have the momentum on their side and will be starting as favourites.
Featured photo: AFP / Manjunath Kiran
