The Rajasthan Royals, currently leading the table, will travel to the picturesque Eden Gardens to take on the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 31st match of IPL 2024.
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KKR vs RR: Match Preview
Both teams enter the match with impressive records, having won four out of their last five games, with just one loss each. The clash between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Rajasthan Royals, occupying the top two positions on the points table, promises to be an exciting encounter.
The home team, Kolkata Knight Riders, comes into the match with confidence, having recently defeated the Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets and with 26 deliveries to spare.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals faced a tense battle against the Punjab Kings, ultimately winning by three wickets with just one delivery remaining.
This match pits the top two teams against each other: Rajasthan Royals, boasting the best combined economy rate in the IPL (8.33), faces Kolkata Knight Riders, known for their highest scoring rate (10.43).
While Rajasthan Royals possess an experienced bowling attack known for controlling every phase of the game, Kolkata Knight Riders boast a deep batting lineup, offering their batters the freedom to play aggressively.
Despite their different strengths, both teams are equally innovative tactically. If key players from both sides perform well, this match promises to be a treat for cricket fans.
KKR vs RR: Pitch Report & Conditions
Eden Gardens has been the venue for 84 IPL matches to date, with teams batting second prevailing in 50 of those encounters. Among the 84 matches played at Eden Gardens, the Kolkata Knight Riders have featured in 79, winning 47, with 26 of those victories coming while chasing. In encounters against RR at this venue, KKR has won six out of nine matches played here, losing two. Conversely, the Rajasthan Royals have struggled in Kolkata, losing eight out of the ten matches they have played here.
This season, Eden Gardens has hosted only two games so far. In late March, KKR narrowly defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in a high-scoring contest, followed by a lower-scoring match on a Sunday afternoon where KKR comfortably defeated a subdued LSG team. While it’s too early to draw firm conclusions from this limited data, generally, the pitch at Eden Gardens favors batsmen, with the ball coming onto the bat well, and the outfield being exceptionally quick.
KKR vs RR: Head-to-head
- Total Matches Played: 28
- Matches Won by Kolkata Knight Riders: 14
- Matches Won by Rajasthan Royals: 13
- No Result: 1
- First Played: May 1, 2008
- Last Played: May 11, 2023
KKR vs RR: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Kolkata Knight Riders
Nitish Rana, who sustained a hand injury during their first game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23, hasn’t played since then. However, he was spotted training before their recent match against Lucknow Super Giants, indicating a possible return if fully fit. His inclusion could be strategic, especially against R Ashwin.
Harshit Rana played a crucial role for KKR in their victory over LSG on Sunday, although his figures of 0 for 35 might not fully reflect his impact. Despite conceding only 16 runs off 11 balls to Nicholas Pooran during the crucial 17th and 19th overs, Harshit’s performance remained somewhat unnoticed. His ability to vary his pace and utilize the over-the-wicket angle effectively, particularly to deter left-handers like Pooran, was instrumental. If he faces Shimron Hetmyer on Tuesday, Harshit may need to rely on these defensive skills once again.
Predictable XII:
- Phil Salt (wk)
- Sunil Narine
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi/Nitish Rana
- Shreyas Iyer (capt)
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Mitchell Starc
- Vaibhav Arora
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakravarthy
Rajasthan Royals
Jos Buttler and Ashwin were absent from Royals’ recent match against Punjab Kings due to minor injuries. However, both are expected to return if fit. Tanush Kotian, who didn’t bowl and opened the batting in the last game, is likely to make way for them. Depending on the toss result, either Rovman Powell or Keshav Maharaj will return to the substitutes’ bench.
R Ashwin’s proficiency against left-handed batters is well-known, but interestingly, he has struggled against two key KKR left-handers. Nitish Rana has been particularly effective against him, scoring 108 runs off 58 balls without getting dismissed, while Sunil Narine, though dismissed once, has managed to score 60 runs off just 22 balls against him.
Predictable XII:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Jos Buttler
- Sanju Samson (capt & wk)
- Riyan Parag
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Dhruv Jurel
- Rovman Powell/Keshav Maharaj
- R Ashwin
- Trent Boult
- Avesh Khan
- Kuldeep Sen
- Yuzvendra Chahal
KKR vs RR: Match Prediction
Scenario 1:
If Kolkata Knight Riders win the toss and choose to bowl, with a powerplay score ranging from 55-65 and a first innings total of 185-195, Kolkata Knight Riders are predicted to win the match.
Scenario 2:
If Rajasthan Royals win the toss and opt to bowl, with a powerplay score between 60-70 and a first innings total of 200-210, Rajasthan Royals are predicted to win the match.
KKR vs RR: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1:
- Keeper: Sanju Samson (vc), Philip Salt
- Batsmen: Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh
- All-rounders: Sunil Narine (c), Andre Russell, Riyan Parag
- Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult
Team 2:
- Keeper: Sanju Samson, Philip Salt
- Batsmen: Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal
- All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell (vc), Riyan Parag (c)
- Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Keshav Maharaj
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) IPL 2024
When: 7:30 PM IST, Saturday – April 16
Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Where to watch KKR vs RR Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch KKR vs RR Live Telecast: Star Sports
