Stat-blast: Key numbers ahead of KKR vs RCB

It is a big match between two very old rivals in the IPL as the Eden Gardens prepares to host an epic clash. The last time RCB hit their stride in the City of Joy, they picked up an important win but followed it with a defeat to sum up their outing in Kolkata. However, it is altogether a different ball-game and undoubtedly, the situation is also drastically contrasting from 2022.

KKR will be up against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and whenever these two teams meet, there have been stories worth telling. From the epic encounters where there has been a cascade of runs to the low-scoring battles that saw the game heading down a thrilling road until that final blood was drawn, here are a few numbers that would amp up the narrative that awaits us all.

Head-to-head:

Matches played: 30

KKR – 16

RCB – 14

Highest scorers for RCB vs KKR:

Virat Kohli leads the list for the Royal Challengers Bangalore with 786 runs at a stunning strike rate of 129.48 and an average of 35.72.

Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers had their fair say in the Red and Gold threads against the Knights with 700 and 522 runs respectively.

Glenn Maxwell is someone to watch out for as he has managed to smash 442 runs against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Bowlers who turned the game on its head:

Harshal Patel leads the current crop of RCB bowlers with 12 wickets against the Knights at an economy rate of 7.82.

Mohammed Siraj has bagged 11 wickets against the Kolkata Knight Riders, his second-highest against any IPL team at an economy rate of 7.13.

Siddharth Kaul also has an excellent record against the Knights, with 9 wickets over his IPL span at an economy rate of 7.8.

Knocks that hogged the limelight:

Chris Gayle smashed an unbeaten 102 to kickstart his IPL campaign for the Royal Challengers Bangalore and it came at the Eden Gardens.

Virat Kohli’s 100 in 2019 was the last century scored by an RCBian at Eden Gardens against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Spells that would go down in history:

Wanindu Hasaranga bagged figures of 4 for 20 in RCB’s last fixture against KKR that happened in 2022 at the DY Patil Stadium.