On 18th April IPL celebrates its birthday as its RCB vs KKR again just like the inaugural match of the tournament back in 2008. Due to the new rules, both teams are playing at a neutral venue this time unlike in 2008. At MA Chidambaram stadium the oldest rivalry of the tournament reignites as the two titans meet again.
This rivalry goes back to 2008 when (now KKR coach) Brendon McCullum hit a blistering 158 and set the stage for the IPL that we know today, the rivalry had many moments throughout the 14 years of the tournament as RCB registered the lowest total in the history of the tournament against KKR in 2017 at Eden Gardens when KKR pacers consisting Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Woakes, and Colin de Grandhomme ran through RCB batting line-up sharing 3 wickets each.
We also saw a heated exchange between two captains and Delhi teammates Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli back in 2013 which only ignited the rivalry between two teams. We also saw the coming of an era as Virat Kohli made his IPL debut against KKR in 2008 as a 19-year-old uncapped player coming out of a victorious U-19 World Cup campaign.
KKR is coming from what was a disappointing loss against Mumbai Indians from a winnings situation chasing a mere 150 after getting a good start by Shubhman Gill and Nitish Rana. RCB on the other hand is the only unbeaten team in the tournament and came from a similar condition against SRH ending on the winning side defending sub 150 total.
RCB will be very confident as they have won both matches from difficult situations on this ground whereas KKR will be going in to prove their mettle again as both teams lock horns. The match begins at 3:30 pm on a Super Sunday where PBKS plays DC later in the evening.