In the upcoming match of the seventeenth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the renowned Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata on Sunday, April 14th.
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KKR vs LSG: Match Preview
KKR, led by Shreyas Iyer, started the season strongly with three consecutive victories but faced their first defeat against defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, in their last match. Possessing a well-balanced team, KKR is poised to challenge LSG, especially in their home environment.
Meanwhile, LSG, captained by KL Rahul, currently holds the fourth position in the points table. Out of the five matches they’ve played, they’ve won three. However, in their recent encounter against Delhi Capitals, they suffered a batting collapse, resulting in a six-wicket loss. As they prepare to face KKR, the visitors aim to pose a tough challenge on their opponent’s home turf.
Did you know that the IPL team headquartered just six kilometers away from Eden Gardens isn’t Kolkata Knight Riders, but Lucknow Super Giants? The majority owners of LSG are based in Kolkata. Additionally, they hold a significant stake in another local team with a strong fan base, Mohun Bagan. Interestingly, during their last match at Eden Gardens, LSG donned the iconic maroon jersey of the Mohun Bagan football team, creating a divided fanbase among local KKR supporters.
Considering LSG’s recent dominance over KKR with a 3-0 winning streak, this fixture has evolved into an exciting rivalry, especially with the return of Gautam Gambhir, LSG’s mentor in previous seasons, to KKR. Despite a recent loss to Delhi Capitals, LSG remains in a favorable position with six points from five games. However, they are concerned about Devdutt Padikkal’s form, as he has only scored 25 runs in five matches.
Similarly, KKR suffered their first defeat of the season against Chennai Super Kings in their previous outing. Yet, they remain in a comfortable position, trailing just two points behind table-toppers Rajasthan Royals, with a game in hand. With the upcoming schedule favoring home games for KKR, they aim to capitalize on their home advantage to secure a spot in the playoffs.
KKR vs LSG: Pitch Report & Conditions
The iconic Eden Gardens pitch is renowned for its balanced nature, catering to both batsmen and bowlers. Early on, expect some assistance for the fast bowlers with seam movement and swing. However, as the game progresses, the pitch typically becomes more batsman-friendly, offering good opportunities for scoring runs. While spinners might find some assistance, especially later in the match, the conditions may not heavily favor spin bowling in the initial stages of the season.
The match commences in the afternoon with temperatures soaring above 35°C at the toss. Fielding during the first innings could be challenging under such hot conditions. However, considering historical data and the potential for evening drizzles, chasing might still be the preferred option. Anticipate a high-scoring affair with plenty of runs on the board.
KKR vs LSG: Head-to-head
- Matches Played: 3
- Kolkata Knight Riders Won: 0
- Lucknow Super Giants Won: 3
- No Result: 0
- First Played: May 07, 2022
- Last Played: May 20, 2023
KKR vs LSG: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Kolkata Knight Riders
Vice-captain Nitish Rana, recovering from a hand injury, and seamer Harshit Rana, nursing a shoulder injury, were seen training and might make a return. Nitish is likely to replace Ramandeep Singh in the lineup.
Suyash Sharma is anticipated to be the key impact player for KKR. However, they might opt for left-arm spinner Anukul Roy if the team requires runs from the No. 9 position.
Predicted XII:
- Phil Salt (wk)
- Sunil Narine
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Shreyas Iyer (capt)
- Ramandeep Singh/Nitish Rana
- Andre Russell
- Rinku Singh
- Mitchell Starc
- Vaibhav Arora/Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Suyash Sharma
Lucknow Super Giants
Devdutt Padikkal’s place in the team is under scrutiny due to poor performance, and Deepak Hooda finds himself on the bench for similar reasons. This opens up opportunities for players like Arshin Kulkarni, Yudhvir Singh, or Prerak Mankad to enter the playing XI if LSG decides to maintain the same overseas quartet.
Additionally, with Mayank Yadav sidelined due to a hip injury and Mohsin Khan nursing a shoulder injury, LSG faces selection challenges. They might consider including Shamar Joseph as a replacement for Mayank Yadav. Spinner M Siddharth is identified as the most likely impact player, potentially filling in for Quinton de Kock.
Predicted XII:
- Quinton de Kock
- KL Rahul (capt, wk)
- Devdutt Padikkal/Prerak Mankad
- Marcus Stoinis
- Nicholas Pooran
- Krunal Pandya
- Ayush Badoni
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Arshad Khan
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Yash Thakur
- M Siddharth
KKR vs LSG: Match Prediction
Scenario 1:
- Kolkata Knight Riders win the toss and choose to bowl.
- Power Play score: 40-50
- First Innings Score: 170-180
- Prediction: Kolkata Knight Riders win the match.
Scenario 2:
- Lucknow Super Giants win the toss and opt to bowl.
- Power Play score: 60-70
- First Innings Score: 200-210
- Prediction: Kolkata Knight Riders win the match.
KKR vs LSG: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1:
- Keeper: Quinton de Kock
- Batsmen: Lokesh Rahul (c), Nicholas Pooran (vc), David Warner, Tristan Stubbs
- All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel
- Bowlers: Yash Thakur, Anrich Nortje, Khaleel Ahmed
Team 2:
- Keeper: Quinton de Kock
- Batsmen: Lokesh Rahul, Nicholas Pooran (c), David Warner, Tristan Stubbs (vc)
- All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel
- Bowlers: Yash Thakur, Anrich Nortje, Ravi Bishnoi
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) IPL 2024
When: 3:30 PM IST, Saturday – April 14
Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Where to watch KKR vs LSG Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch KKR vs LSG Live Telecast: Star Sports
