Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are gearing up to face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their upcoming IPL 2024 match. The two teams will clash in Qualifier 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, May 21.
KKR was the first team to secure a spot in the playoffs and will be aiming for another victory to secure a place in the finals this season.
Meanwhile, SRH secured their playoff spot as the third team to qualify.
KKR vs SRH: Match Preview
Ahmedabad has been experiencing extreme temperatures, with the mercury soaring above 45 degrees Celsius. Surprisingly, this might not be bad news for the IPL. Recent matches have been disrupted by rain, so the current trend of scorching heat is likely welcomed by those involved with the tournament. Ironically, this intense heat could be a relief for the two remaining teams at the venue.
The weather forecast for both Tuesday and Wednesday, when Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator will be played, predicts more of the same sweltering conditions, ensuring the matches proceed without interruption. According to the local Meteorological Department, the weather will be “hot with plenty of sun”—a massive understatement. The heat has been both infernal and searing. However, the Kolkata Knight Riders, who experienced two consecutive washouts, including one at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 13, might not mind the heat.
Heading into a crucial fixture, the Knight Riders, two-time champions who finished at the top of the points table for the first time in 17 seasons, are short on match practice, having last played a full 40-over game on May 5. This could be a concern for Shreyas Iyer’s side, who have pioneered a new approach to the IPL, much like their opponents, Sunrisers Hyderabad, in Qualifier 1. Both teams have redefined the game with a high-risk, no-holds-barred, take-no-prisoners attitude.
This matchup will feature two bold, fearless, and in-form teams, with a slight edge towards Hyderabad, who are also aiming for their third IPL championship. Kolkata’s regular opener, Phil Salt, who formed a strong partnership with Sunil Narine, is absent due to national duties. Narine may partner with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who has yet to play a game this season.
Two of the quickest-scoring teams in this IPL could produce another run-fest in the first qualifier in Ahmedabad, especially if a bouncy, red-soil track is on offer. Despite Phil Salt’s departure from the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders still boast considerable power with Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh. On the other side, Sunrisers Hyderabad can match or even surpass that firepower with Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have also strengthened their top order with the aggressive No.3 option, Rahul Tripathi. However, the question remains: can they adjust their aggressive approach if Ahmedabad presents a slow, black-soil turner? Back in March, SRH managed only 162 for 8 on such a surface, which favored the Gujarat Titans’ spinners.
On the other hand, SRH’s aggressive opening combination of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma remains intact. While cricket, particularly in the IPL, is known for its unpredictability, the success or failure of the opening pairs could significantly influence the game’s outcome.
Regardless of the surface conditions, Narine and Varun Chakravarthy have the ability to take wickets or restrict the opposition. Yet, KKR will have to perform without much recent match practice, having experienced washouts in their last two league matches, including one in Ahmedabad.
In terms of bowling, Pat Cummins’s side has a slight edge. Hyderabad has relied heavily on its pacers—T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Cummins himself, with Jaydev Unadkat and Marco Jansen as backup. The Narendra Modi Stadium has generally favored fast bowlers. Conversely, the Knight Riders’ strength lies in their spinners, particularly Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy.
A key advantage for Hyderabad is the resurgence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has regained form in the latter half of the league. Meanwhile, Kolkata’s spearhead, Mitchell Starc, has not been in top form, with 12 wickets in 11 innings. Kolkata will need Starc, the costliest buy in IPL history, to deliver a strong performance. Additionally, KKR must be mindful of the positive experiences Cummins and Head have at this venue, including their ODI World Cup win last year.
In Terms Of Recent Form:
Kolkata Knight Riders WWWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Sunrisers Hyderabad WWLWL
KKR vs SRH: Pitch Report & Conditions
Although it is not a do-or-die game, neither team wants to face the prospect of an elimination match. The pitch is expected to favor batters, likely resulting in a high-scoring game. Captains are expected to choose to field first, as has been the trend this season.
The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium offers a balanced challenge for both batters and fast bowlers. It provides good pace and bounce for the pacers, while also allowing batters to score freely. Notably, in the last five games at this venue, teams that have chosen to chase have won each time. Therefore, the team winning the toss is likely to opt to field first.
The type of soil—red or black—could significantly impact team composition. Although the previous game in Ahmedabad was a washout, the weather is expected to be clear for Tuesday’s match.
KKR vs SRH: Head-to-head
- Matches Played: 26
- Kolkata Knight Riders Won: 17
- Sunrisers Hyderabad Won: 09
- No Results: 00
- First Played: April 14 2013
- Last Played: March 23 2024
In their previous encounter, Head didn’t even play, as Sunrisers Hyderabad opted for Marco Jansen instead. The match saw Harshit Rana’s heroics in the last over, where he halted Heinrich Klaasen and the SRH side, securing a four-run victory for Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. Earlier in the season, KKR had struggled with chasing targets, but they have addressed this issue heading into the playoffs.
KKR vs SRH: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Kolkata Knight Riders
All players, except Phil Salt, are available for selection. Nitish Rana, who has regained fitness, presents himself as a viable Impact Player option, having demonstrated his capabilities with a quickfire 33 off 23 balls against Mumbai Indians in Kolkata. KKR may face a decision between left-arm fingerspinner Anukul Roy and right-arm seamer Vaibhav Arora.
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have proven to be effective against Sunil Narine, suggesting that the veteran spinner could be strategically deployed in the middle and late overs to counter Heinrich Klaasen, who holds a favorable matchup against the other KKR spinner, Varun Chakravarthy. Don’t be surprised if Andre Russell targets Abhishek Sharma early in the game. Russell has dismissed Abhishek twice in just 10 balls and has conceded only 11 runs in those encounters.
Predicted XII:
- Sunil Narine
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Shreyas Iyer (capt)
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Nitish Rana
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Mitchell Starc
- Anukul Roy/Vaibhav Arora
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakravarthy
Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH has a clean slate in terms of injuries and player availability. They have maintained consistency in their Impact Player strategy, typically slotting in one of their batters for T Natarajan. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, the young leg-spinner from Jaffna, has performed well in his two IPL appearances and is likely to retain his place unless SRH opts to bring back Aiden Markram for his steady batting and off-spin against a potentially left-hand-heavy KKR middle order. Jaydev Unadkat, known for his change-ups, is another viable option.
Andre Russell has not had a high-scoring rate in Ahmedabad, striking at just under 140 in four innings at the venue. SRH bowlers will aim to force him to hit towards the long square boundaries.
Predicted XII:
- Travis Head
- Abhishek Sharma
- Rahul Tripathi
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Heinrich Klaasen (wk)
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Abdul Samad
- Sanvir Singh
- Pat Cummins (capt)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Vijayakanth Viyaskanth
- T Natarajan
KKR vs SRH: Players Under The Spotlight
KKR- Rinku Singh
After showcasing his finishing prowess in IPL 2023, Rinku Singh has had limited opportunities to replicate his success in IPL 2024. Additionally, he did not secure a place in India’s main squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Despite this, Singh has faced 113 balls in 11 innings this season, boasting a healthy strike rate of 148.67. While his stats may not match up to some of the other heavy hitters in Tuesday’s game, underestimating Singh could prove costly for any opposition.
SRH- T Natarajan
T Natarajan faced a challenging outing against Ayush Badoni but bounced back impressively against Punjab Kings, securing figures of 2 for 33 in his four overs in a high-scoring game. His bowling repertoire has evolved beyond just the yorker, with the addition of a deceptive slower bouncer to trouble batters during the middle and death overs. However, Natarajan will need to tread carefully against Andre Russell, who has scored 43 runs off 26 balls against him in the IPL, with just one dismissal, at a strike rate of 165.38.
KKR vs SRH: Match Prediction
Scenario 1:
- Kolkata Knight Riders win the toss and opt to bowl.
- Power Play score: 70-80
- First Innings Score: 210-220
- Prediction: Kolkata Knight Riders win the match.
Scenario 2:
- Sunrisers Hyderabad win the toss and opt to bowl.
- Power Play score: 80-90
- First Innings Score: 220-230
- Prediction: Kolkata Knight Riders win the match.
KKR vs SRH: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1:
- Keeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Heinrich Klaasen
- Batsman: Shreyas yer, Venkatesh Iyer, Travis Head (VC), Abhishek Sharma
- All-rounders: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine
- Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Team 2:
- Keeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Heinrich Klaasen
- Batsman: Shreyas yer, Rahul Tripathi, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma
- All-rounders: Andre Russell (C), Sunil Narine. Nitish Kumar Reddy (VC)
- Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Pat Cummins
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: 1st Qualifier- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKS) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), IPL 2024
When: 7:30 PM IST, Saturday – May 21
Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Where to watch KKR vs SRH Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch KKR vs SRH Live Telecast: Star Sports
