Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Royal Challengers Bangalore will ease past the two-time champions–Kolkata Knight Riders in their second match of the league stage in IPL 2023. Chopra also reckons that the pitch might be a batting paradise as we can expect many runs from both teams.

Cricket-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra previewed the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders. In a video, shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra predicted the winner of the high-octane match.

“Bangalore will win this match, which means two out of two for Bangalore and it means two out of two losses for Kolkata. Is that going to happen? I don’t know, we shall find out, but I feel that will happen,” Aakash Chopra said.

Chopra also predicted that Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel would pick three wickets or more on the pitch which can help the pacers at the initial stage of the innings. He asserted that the fast bowlers will be more effective than spinners at iconic Eden Gardens.

“My second prediction is that Siraj and Harshal will together pick up three or more wickets. You can add the name of any other fast bowler you want, it will become a total of five wickets. I feel fast bowlers will be more successful than spinners here,” Aakash Chopra added.

Royal Challengers Bangalore will be without the services of Reece Topley, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Josh Hazelwood for their encounter against two-time champions, whereas the Kolkata Knight Riders will miss out on the services of their latest recruit Jason Roy and Litton Das.

Russell And Maxwell Will Together Hit Five Or More Sixes – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra believes that they will be a lot of runs scored in the powerplay as both sides can score at a run rate of 15 runs an over as the ball would come nicely to the bat from the surface. KKR would be playing in their home ground after three long years.

“More than 90 runs will be scored in the powerplay overs. In the first six overs apiece for both sides, even 105 runs might be scored. There will be a decent hit in the initial overs. There will be a little help from the pitch for the fast bowlers but the ball will come very nicely onto the bat,” Aakash Chopra further added.

Chopra said that hard-hitting Andre Russell and Glenn Maxwell would hit more than five sixes as the ground is known for its six-hitting ground.

“Russell and Maxwell will together hit five or more sixes. Both like hitting sixes and this ground is extremely favourable for hitting sixes.”

Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders on their first away game of the season in Eden Gardens on April 6.