IPL 2016: Kolkata Look to Return to Winnings Ways With Win Over Bangalore

Two-time title holders Kolkata Knight Riders will look to return to their winnings after two straight defeats when they take on struggling Royal Challengers Bangalore in their Indian Premier League match here at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday.

The Knight Riders are currently placed third in the table with eight points from seven games, winning four and losing three, while Royal Challengers are lying at a lowly seventh spot with four points from six games that includes just two wins.

Although both KKR and RCB are coming into the match after facing defeats on Saturday, in Delhi and Hyderabad, respectively, the visitors would definitely start as favourites.

KKR would be keen to find their footing after suffering a 27-run loss to Delhi Daredevils. They were bowled out for 159 in 18.3 overs, chasing 187.

For the Knight Riders, Chinnaswamy stadium has been the happy hunting ground. They had lifted the IPL title for the second time here after defeating Kings XI Punjab in the final.

The Kolkata outfit led by Gautam Gambhir have been touted as one of the favourites, thanks to their batting might, and squad stability.

Gambhir himself has been among runs, having hit three half-centuries in seven games. He has been well supported by the likes of Robin Uthappa, Suryakumar Yadav, Yusuf Pathan and Andre Russell.

Uthappa's brilliant innings of 72 off 52 balls against the Daredevils on Saturday was the lone bright spot for the Knight Riders.

Even their bowling has done reasonably well with the likes of Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav and Piyush Chawla picking up wickets. However, it would be interesting to see how they counter the strong batting line-up of the Royal Challengers.

The RCB, on their part, would once again be relying heavily on their batsmen, hoping that skipper Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, KL Rahul and Shane Watson put up a massive total on the board. And Chris Gayle's return after a paternity leave would further strengthen the home team's batting.

Captain Kohli would be desperate to turn the tables and would hope that his bowlers can come up with something special.

The Royal Challengers would have to put the disappointment of their 15-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad behind quickly and make amends.

Watson has also been in good form with both bat and ball, but other bowlers in Yuzvendra Chahal, Kane Richardson, Iqbal Abdulla and Varun Aaron are yet to click.