Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are poised to compete in Match 3 of the current IPL 2024 season on Saturday, March 23, at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. It marks the inaugural match of the season for both squads, each aiming to kick off their campaign with a strong performance.
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KKR vs SRH: Match Preview
In the previous season, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) concluded their campaign in seventh place, trailing four points behind the playoff spots, while Sunrisers Hyderabad found themselves at the bottom of the table. KKR’s performance in 2023 was characterized by inconsistency, but they have significantly strengthened their squad for the 2024 season, offering their fans reasons for optimism. Nevertheless, they are poised to face a determined opponent keen on making a statement in the upcoming match.
Sunrisers Hyderabad managed only four victories throughout the season. However, with new leadership, they have the opportunity to mount a more successful campaign in 2024. Assessing KKR’s lineup, they may identify potential weaknesses to exploit at Eden Gardens.
KKR won just two out of seven home games last season, with their bowling attack mainly relying on spinners despite the pitches not being conducive to their strengths. However, during the 2023 ODI World Cup, Kolkata emerged as the most spin-friendly venue. Considering spin remains a strong suit for KKR, anticipate the pitch for Saturday’s match to favor slower bowling. The temperature is expected to hover around 25°C, with little chance of dew.
KKR vs SRH: Head-to-head
In the history of their encounters, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have faced off in 25 matches. Among these, KKR emerged victorious in 16 instances, while SRH managed to secure the win in 9 matches. There have been no instances of the match ending with no result. The rivalry between these teams dates back to May 19, 2013, marking their first encounter. Their most recent clash took place on May 04, 2023. Throughout these encounters, KKR has maintained a stronger record, but SRH has also showcased their competitive spirit on numerous occasions.
KKR vs SRH: Team News
Shreyas Iyer returns as the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after missing the 2023 season. Concerns arose regarding his fitness due to back spasms, which prevented him from fielding in the last two days of the Ranji Trophy final. However, he participated in KKR’s intra-squad practice match earlier this week, confirming his readiness to play on Saturday. Unfortunately, Dushmantha Chameera is likely to miss the first few games due to a quadriceps injury sustained during the first ODI against Afghanistan.
Wanindu Hasaranga’s availability for at least the first game remains uncertain. He is currently in Sri Lanka’s Test squad in Bangladesh but cannot participate due to an ICC suspension. This situation simplifies Cummins’ task of selecting four overseas players, given Hasaranga’s absence.
The probable playing XIs:
Kolkata Knight Riders are likely to feature Rahmanullah Gurbaz/Phil Salt as the wicketkeeper, with a batting lineup comprising Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer leading as captain, Nitish Rana, and Rinku Singh. Their middle order is expected to be reinforced by the presence of Andre Russell, while the bowling attack may consist of Sunil Narine, Mitchell Starc, Chetan Sakariya, Varun Chakravarthy, and Vaibhav Arora.
On the other side, Sunrisers Hyderabad may field Mayank Agarwal, Travis Head, Rahul Tripathi, and Heinrich Klaasen as the wicketkeeper. Upendra Yadav could strengthen their batting order alongside captain Pat Cummins. Their bowling department might include Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Umran Malik.
KKR vs SRH: Prediction
In Scenario 1, if Sunrisers Hyderabad win the toss and opt to bowl, with a Power Play score ranging between 40-50 and a first innings total of 160-165, they are likely to have a strong chance of winning the match.
Conversely, in Scenario 2, if Kolkata Knight Riders win the toss and choose to bowl first, with a higher Power Play score of 60-70 and a first innings total of 190-200, Sunrisers Hyderabad still have the potential to win the match.
In both scenarios, Sunrisers Hyderabad emerge as the predicted victors, suggesting they possess the capability to adapt to varying conditions and secure a favorable outcome.
KKR vs SRH: Fantasy Dream11 Prediction
Here are the Dream11 Prediction Teams for the KKR vs SRH match:
Team 1:
- Keepers: Heinrich Klaasen, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Batsmen: Travis Head (vc), Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh
- All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell (c), Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen
- Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins
Team 2:
- Keeper: Heinrich Klaasen
- Batsmen: Travis Head, Shreyas Iyer (vc), Rinku Singh
- All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen (c)
- Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Varun Chakravarthy
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (KKR vs SRH) IPL 2024
When: 7:30 PM IST, Saturday – March 23
Where: Eden Gardens Stadium, Kolkata
Where to watch CSK vs RCB Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch CSK vs RCB Live Telecast: Star Sports
