Let’s trace three more interesting rivalries and see what makes them special, while the action unfolds…
Over the years a few rivalries have been established and are going strong. Ahead of the 15th edition of the IPL, two new teams have been included to take the teams’ tally to 10 – Lucknow and Gujarat will look to make a place for themselves on the big stage.
Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants
It’s going to be Hardik Pandya vs KL Rahul
The two new teams will look to better each other and have a memorable maiden campaign in the IPL. Gujarat Titans (GT) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are led by KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya. The two are not only very talented players, but also very good friends off the field, making the rivalry even more interesting.
Additionally, for the first time Krunal Pandya is in the opposition rank when compared to his brother, Hardik. That contest between the Pandya brothers could be a fascinating battle. Rashid Khan vs KL Rahul is another battle that could be a good one with the Afghanistan superstar having the upper hand.
TIP While Lucknow have a fine opening pair in Quinton de Kock and Rahul, Gujarat have great bowlers to break that partnership, including Lockie Ferguson, Rashid Khan and Mohammed Shami, to name a few…
Choose your favorite and bet on IPL 2022 outright winner now!
Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings
The North India derby of underdogs
Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are the two most unsuccessful teams in the IPL until now. However, both franchises have formed promising teams on paper ahead of IPL 2022 and their fixtures could turn our interesting.
With multiple high-performing Indian and international players (such as the T20 World Cup winners David Warner and Mitchell Marsh for DC, and England hitter Liam Livingstone and fast bowler from South Africa Kagiso Rabada for PBKS), any and all northern derby clashes featuring these two teams are bound to produce some incredible moments of top-class cricket action.
TIP Keep an eye on Shikhar Dhawan this season – while parting with Dhawan was Delhi’s loss, it turned out to be Punjab’s gain.
PBKS lead 15-13 in the head-to-head. In the last 12 meetings, both sides have managed to claim six victories each.
Read more about DC vs PBKS Head-to-Head History
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders
One of the most enduring rivalries in the IPL
The rivalry between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) started on the very first day of the tournament – when, then KKR-star, Brendon McCullum, wreaked havoc at the Chinnaswamy Stadium with his unbeaten 158 against RCB. Since then, be it heated arguments between former RCB and KKR captains, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, or last-ball finishes with disappointing losses, many such emotions have been a constant in any of the RCB vs KKR clashes.
We can expect power performances from each team as they rise to the occasion in an attempt to claim victory in this classic IPL rivalry.
TIP RCB lacks dependable options in the middle order. It enters this IPL season heavily dependent on three batters: Kohli, du Plessis and Maxwell.
In the head-to-head record KKR have dominated with 17 wins to RCB’s 13 wins. Last season, they locked horns thrice, with KKR winning on two occasions.
