IPL 2023 match preview: Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 IPL

What's the match?

Kolkata Knight Riders take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2023 Indian Premier League.

When is it taking place?

The match is scheduled to start at 7.30pm local time (3pm GMT) on Thursday, April 6.

Where is the match being played?

The match will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Who's got form?

Kolkata Knight Riders are coming into this match after losing their first game of the season. They suffered a seven-run DLS defeat against Punjab Kings despite Andre Russell's brisk 35 off 19 balls.

RCB, meanwhile, cruised to victory against Mumbai Indians last Sunday, chasing down 171 in just 16 overs for the loss of two wickets.

Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers, with one wicket and an economy of 5.25, while there were dominant batting displays from Virat Kohli and player of the match Faf du Plessis, who both scored half-centuries. Du Plessis scored 73 runs at a strike rate of 169.77 while Kolhi finished unbeaten on 82.

^{Virat Kolhi scored a half-century against Mumbai Indians}

What's the team news?

Injuries continue to plague RCB, with England's Reece Topley the latest player to enter the sick bay. Topley dislocated his shoulder while fielding against Mumbai Indians but the seriousness of his injury is yet to be confirmed.

Josh Hazlewood (Achilles) will miss the first seven matches of the 2023 IPL while Rajat Patidar is out for the season with a heel injury. His replacement is yet to be announced.

KKR will be without the services of Shakib Al Hasan, who has made himself unavailable for the tournament. They were already without Shreyas Iyer (back) while Shakib's Bangladesh teammate, Litton Das, is on international duty.

The Knight Riders have confirmed England opener Jason Roy as a replacement signing, but he may not be available in time for this clash.

What's the key matchup?

Kohli versus Russell is a battle for the ages. In RCB's season opener, Kohli handled Jofra Archer very well but how will he fair against Russell's pace and range of short balls?

Russell's big-hitting will also be a challenge for RCB to contain.

Head-to-head record 

Matches played: 30

Kolkata Knight Riders wins: 16

Royal Challengers Bangalore wins: 14

What's the weather forecast?

Hot temperatures are expected in Kolkata, with highs of 31 degrees Celsius.

^{KKR allrounder Andre Russell}

What are the squads?

Kolkata Knight Riders: Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, David Wiese, Kulwant Khejroliya, Suyash Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (injured), Anukul Roy, Lockie Ferguson, Andre Russel, Tim Southee, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Narayan Jagadeesan, Litton Das, Venkatesh Iyer, Umesh Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mandeep Singh, Shakib Al Hasan (unavailable), Jason Roy (replacement signing)

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Suyash Prabhudessai, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat, Finn Allen, Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, David Willey, Karn Sharma, Mahipal Lomror, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, Siddarth Kaul, Akash Deep, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Will Jacks (injured, replaced by Michael Bracewell), Manoj Bhandage, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh, R Sonu Yadav

What are the possible starting XIs?

Kolkata Knight Riders: Narayan Jagadeesan, Rahamanullah Gurbaz, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee, Varun Chakravarthy

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Michael Bracewell, Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson

What are the odds?

RCB are the favourites to win this encounter, with odds of 8/13, while KKR are at 6/5 to win.

Prediction?

RCB have winning momentum, confidence and looked fantastic in their season opener. RCB win.

Where can I watch the game?

In the UK, Sky Sports have exclusive rights to this year's tournament, with matches available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket. 

Fans in India can watch all the action on Star Sports. 

Elsewhere in the world, viewers in Australia can watch the IPL on Fox Sports while in New Zealand, Sky Sport will provide coverage. 

Willow TV and Flow Sports will broadcast the tournament in the United States and the Caribbean, respectively. 

Fans in MENA can catch the action on beIN Sports while in South Africa, SuperSport have the rights. 

If you are watching from the Middle East, you'll be able to view the game on Times Internet. 

People from Bangladesh can watch the game on Gazi TV.