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Kochi Blue Tigers vs Aries Kollam Sailors, KCLT20 2026, Today Match Prediction
Toss Winner - Aries Kollam Sailors won the toss and choose to bowl first
Kochi Blue Tigers beat Aries Kollam Sailors by 31 runs
Can the defending champions Kochi Blue Tigers get off to a winning start?
- Vinoop Manoharan was Kochi Blue Tigers' leading run-scorer last season, scoring 414 runs in 12 matches.
- Abhishek Nair scored 304 runs in 12 matches for Aries Kollam Sailors last season.
- KM Asif was Kochi's leading wicket-taker, claiming 16 wickets in 8 matches.
Kochi Blue Tigers to win the match.
| Tournament: | Kerala Cricket League , 2026 |
| Format: | t20 |
| Venue: | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, India |
| Toss Prediction: | To Bat |
| Weather: | 25.7°C|Overcast |
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KBTS vs ARKS Match Prediction & Analysis
Kochi Blue Tigers will take on Aries Kollam Sailors at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on Thursday, August 20, in the second match of the Kerala Cricket League 2026.
Kochi Blue Tigers and Aries Kollam Sailors both reached the final last season, with Kochi lifting the trophy and Aries finishing as runners-up. The defending champions will look to begin their title defence on a positive note.
In their last five matches, Kochi Blue Tigers have won all five, while Aries Kollam Sailors have won two and lost three. Kochi also have the advantage in their recent head-to-head record, winning four of their last five meetings, compared with Aries' one victory.
With Kochi carrying stronger recent form and a clear head-to-head advantage, they will enter the contest with greater confidence, while Aries will look to challenge the defending champions and start the new season strongly.
RECENT PERFORMANCE
KBTS
W
W
W
W
W
KBTS
106/10 in 16.3 6.42
181/8 in 20.0 9.05
186/8 in 20.0 9.3
171/7 in 20.0 8.55
130/6 in 20.0 6.5
131/4 in 17.1 7.63
167/7 in 19.3 8.56
165/7 in 20.0 8.25
176/6 in 20.0 8.8
178/7 in 18.2 9.71
ARKS
L
W
W
L
W
ARKS
106/10 in 16.3 6.42
181/8 in 20.0 9.05
86/10 in 17.1 5.01
92/0 in 9.5 9.36
137/9 in 20.0 6.85
139/6 in 17.0 8.18
130/6 in 20.0 6.5
131/4 in 17.1 7.63
138/4 in 13.0 10.62
149/7 in 12.1 12.25
HEAD TO HEAD
Last 5 Matches
Show More Show Less
130/6 in 20.0
131/4 in 17.1
237/6 in 20.0
KCLT20
Kochi Blue Tigers beat Aries Kollam Sailors by 4 wickets
236/5 in 20.0
158/8 in 20.0
159/3 in 18.4
129/10 in 18.1
147/9 in 20.0
TEAMS PREVIEW
Kochi Blue Tigers Preview
Kochi Blue Tigers had an excellent campaign last season, playing 12 matches and winning 10, while losing only two. They eventually lifted the Kerala Cricket League title after defeating Aries Kollam Sailors by 75 runs in the final, making it a highly successful campaign.
Vinoop Manoharan was Kochi's leading run-scorer last season, making 414 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 172.50. Mohammed Shanu scored 199 runs in 12 matches, while Saly Samson added 151 runs in 12 matches. The batting unit's ability to score quickly was one of Kochi's major strengths last season.
With the ball, KM Asif was their leading wicket-taker, claiming 16 wickets in 8 matches. Jerin PS picked up 15 wickets in 12 matches, while Jobin Joby contributed 8 wickets in 8 matches. Their bowling depth played an important role in their title-winning campaign.
Kochi will look to begin their title defence with another strong performance. Their dominant record from last season, combined with a well-balanced squad, gives them plenty of confidence heading into the new campaign.
Key Players: Vinoop Manoharan, KM Asif, Jerin PS
Kochi Blue Tigers Predicted Playing XI:
Saly Samson, Mohammed Ashiq, Basil Thampi, KM Asif, Alfi Francis John, Sachin Suresh, Jerin PS, Vinoop Manoharan, Midhun PK, Vipul Shakti, Karthik B Nair
Kochi Blue Tigers Actual Playing XI:
Karthik B Nair, Pathirikattu Midhun, Jobin Joby, Saly V Samson, Alfi Francis John, Vinoop Manoharan, Manu Krishnan, Vipul Shakti, KM Asif, Basil Thampi, Sachin Suresh, N Mohammed Ashik
Aries Kollam Sailors Preview
Aries Kollam Sailors played 12 matches last season, winning six and losing six. They reached the final after a balanced league campaign but could not complete the title-winning run, losing to Kochi Blue Tigers by 75 runs in the final. They will look to improve on last season's 50% win record and go one step further this time.
Abhishek Nair was one of their leading batters last season, scoring 304 runs in 12 matches. Vathsal Govind added 193 runs in 10 matches, while Sharafuddeen scored 160 runs in 12 matches. The batting unit will need greater consistency against Kochi's strong bowling attack.
With the ball, AG Amal led the attack with 17 wickets in 12 matches. Ashik Muhammed claimed 16 wickets in 11 matches, while Sharafuddeen took 13 wickets in 12 matches. Their bowling depth could be important against the defending champions.
Aries will enter the new season with a squad that has a good mix of batting, all-round options and bowling depth. After falling short in last year's final, they will be determined to start their campaign strongly and challenge Kochi once again.
Key Players: Abhishek Nair, AG Amal, Ashik Muhammed
Aries Kollam Sailors Predicted Playing XI:
Sharafuddeen, Abhishek Nair, Pawan Raj, Vijay Viswanath, MD Nidheesh, Anand Krishnan, Midhun S, Vathsal Govind, Ashik Muhammed, AG Amal, Mohammed Ishaque
Aries Kollam Sailors Actual Playing XI:
Sharafuddeen NM, Akhil KG, AG Amal, Vathsal Govind, Anand Krishnan, Abhishek J Nair, Mohammed Ishaque P, MD Nidheesh, Vijay S Viswanath, Pavan Raj, Maruthungal Ajinas, Sachin P S
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather Conditions
Thiruvananthapuram is likely to remain warm and humid on Thursday evening, with temperatures around 29°C and humidity close to 80%. Winds are expected to reach around 24 km/h, while a 70% chance of precipitation and light rain forecast could bring interruptions during the evening. The moisture in the air may also offer some early assistance to the seamers.
KBTS vs ARKS Pitch Report
The Greenfield International Stadium has generally offered something for the bowlers, particularly the pacers with the new ball, while spinners can come into play as the surface slows down. However, the last five T20 matches at the venue have produced an average first-innings score of 151 runs, compared with 135 runs in the second innings. Teams batting first have won three of the last five matches, suggesting that a competitive total could be valuable.
Score Prediction
If Kochi Blue Tigers bat first: 170-180 runs
If Aries Kollam Sailors bat first: 150-160 runs
Toss: To Bat
The numbers at Greenfield International Stadium lean slightly towards batting first, with teams setting a target winning three of the last five T20 matches. The venue has generally produced competitive scores when teams have made the most of their first-innings opportunity, so the team after winning the toss is likely to prefer batting first.
Toss Prediction: Kochi Blue Tigers to win the toss.
KBTS vs ARKS
Winning Prediction
Kochi Blue Tigers enter the contest with a stronger overall record, having won 10 of their 12 matches last season before defeating Aries Kollam Sailors in the final to claim the title. Aries had a more evenly balanced campaign, winning six and losing six of their 12 matches, before finishing as runners-up.
Kochi have also won all five of their last five matches, while Aries have won two and lost three. Their 4-1 head-to-head advantage further strengthens Kochi's case. With the defending champions carrying better recent form and a stronger record against Aries, they look better placed to handle the conditions and begin their title defence with a win.
Kochi Blue Tigers to win the match.
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