IPL 2018: 4 reasons why RCB vs KXIP is going to be an exciting contest

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab are set to face-off each other at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on 13th April 2018. KXIP will look to strive towards glory early in the tournament while RCB will try to come back on track after their loss to KKR.

Both the teams are similar having a power-packed batting lineup, decent fast bowlers, specialist spin-attack and much more. Furthermore, they both haven't put their hands on the IPL trophy yet.

Here are the four reasons why this match-up is going to be an exciting affair.

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#4 KL Rahul and Gayle's return to Chinnaswamy stadium

Gayle & KL Rahul have played for RCB together

Chris Gayle and KL Rahul, once an integral part of Royal Challengers Bangalore setup, were let go by them ahead of IPL 2018 season.

The definite reason behind the break-up was the Jamaican's lack of consistency and the Karnataka batsman's high bid of 11 crores, that turned out to be a little too hefty for their purse. Hosting Kings XI Punjab in the upcoming match-up, the Chinnaswamy crowd will cherish to witness their son as well as their adopted son once again in action.

Although Gayle is unlikely to feature in the starting XI, KL Rahul will open the proceedings for the Punjab-based franchise after slamming the fastest fifty in the history of the tournament. But still, who knows what R Ashwin might have up his sleeve.

#3 Battle between the spinners

Ashwin opened the attack in the last game

Both the teams have a well-built spin-attack, Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar being the spin-twins for RCB, backed by Murugan Ashwin, Pawan Negi whereas KXIP have a trio consisting of the skipper Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, likely to be in the XI.

The interesting bit is, both of them have spinners who can bowl in the powerplay, and might have to face the swashbuckling batting lineup either-way. There will be a competitive environment amongst the spinners, who are yet to cement their spot in the Indian limited overs side.

On top of that, the eyes will be on a couple of teenagers, Sundar and Mujeeb, who have already represented their respective countries.

#2 Batting powerhouses

The match is expected to be a run-fest

M. Chinnaswamy stadium has been a venue for run-fests in the IPL, with even 200 being chased quite a few times. In addition to that, the devastating batting lineups will make it even more exciting for the spectators out there. The result will majorly favour the one who bats better.

RCB's Brendon McCullum, Quinton de Kock, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Manan Vohra, Colin de Grandhomme will look to overshadow KXIP's KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, David Miller, Yuvraj Singh, Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal and others.

Furthermore, a couple of Punjabi boys in RCB and a few Kannadigas in KXIP will add to the fever in the garden city, Bangalore.

#1 Hungry captains

Can Virat Kohli lead RCB to their first IPL title?

Both the teams have desirous leaders, one trying to make a mark as a skipper and the other to remove the tag of chokers. As far as the individual battle between them is concerned, Virat Kohli has got the better of Ravichandran Ashwin on the majority of occasions.

On the other side, Ashwin will look to send a message to his national skipper after losing his spot in India's limited-overs set-up. He has been working on variations with a blend of leg-spinners, carrom-balls, off-spinners, and will surely deploy a couple of them against Virat Kohli.