🏏IPL 2024: Match 42 - PBKS vs KKR at Eden Gardens @ 7:30PM IST🏏 - Page 2

Probable Best Players of the Match

Probable Best Batter: Sunil Narine

Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine could be the best batter in the upcoming clash against Punjab Kings. With 286 runs in seven matches, Narine has been in brilliant form, and having scored a century recently, Narine’s performance as KKR’s opener could be key against PBKS.

Probable Best Bowler: Harshal Patel

Punjab Kings’ Harshal Patel could be the best bowler in the upcoming game against KKR. With 13 wickets in eight games, Harshal Patel is the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament, and his spell could be influential against the two-time champions.

Scenario 1

Kolkata Knight Riders win the toss and bat

Power Play score – 60-70

First Innings Score - 210-220

Kolkata Knight Riders win the match

Scenario 2

Punjab Kings win the toss and bat

Power Play score - 50-60

First Innings Score - 180-190

Kolkata Knight Riders win the match

Thanks for the tag

The IPL 2024 season has gone along similar lines to previous years for the Punjab franchise as their side battles inconsistencies to find themselves at the bottom half of the table. With just two wins from eight games, Punjab Kings aren't far away from elimination and it is in such a scenario that they are set to visit the Eden Gardens for the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders. PBKS may have lost six of their eight games but they've been in the contest till the end in most of these games, only to end on the wrong side of it more often than not.

Hope PBKS wins

But looks like KKR will win

The lack of form of the top-order will be in focus for Punjab whose batting has been carried by their middle-order players with sizeable contributions from Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. Against a potent KKR bowling unit, PBKS will need their batting to fire in unison to stand a chance, particularly with the batting-friendly conditions at the venue. In comparison to their batting, the Kings' bowling has fared better and performed better relatively through the season thus far. That said, there is a definite scope for improvement with the ball too.

Kolkata Knight Riders have been near flawless at home with three wins from four games. Their only defeat at the Eden Gardens came due to a miracle knock from Jos Buttler for Rajasthan Royals. The venue has seen extremely high scores and KKR's batters led by Sunil Narine have feasted on the surfaces offered to them. Phil Salt has also warmed up to his task at the top of the order with some extremely aggressive knocks. The emergence of Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ramandeep Singh has allowed the trio of Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh and Andre Russell to bat with more freedom, given the new-found depth in KKR's batting.

Aaj agar PBKS jeet gayi toh maza aayega

I hate KKR

The bowling department hasn't had the usual overdependence on the spin attack but that has also got to do with the nature of tracks on offer. Narine, though, has been his frugal self once more while Varun Chakravarthy has also endured a decent season thus far. The standout for KKR's bowling has been Harshit Rana who has shouldered the responsibility with aplomb, both with the new ball and also at the death. Russell has also been a key factor with the ball for Kolkata, with the all-rounder looking much fitter and quicker than in recent seasons.

On paper, both sides are well-rounded although KKR do hold a narrow edge due to their recent form. This promises to be a cracking encounter between two entertaining sides.

Team watch

Kolkata Knight Riders

Injuries/Availability: Mitchell Starc didn't bowl at all in the nets and the Australian pacer is allegedly nursing a finger injury that he picked up during the clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore. There is no confirmation yet about whether he'll be available or not for this clash.

Tactics and Matchups: Andre Russell has a strike rate of 196.72 in the death overs (16-20) this season. He also has a favourable matchup against Kagiso Rabada and Sam Curran, striking at 222 and 233 respectively. The West Indian's battle against the two quicks could be a crucial sub-plot in this contest. If Starc isn't fit to play, Dushmantha Chameera could slot into the XI. The Sri Lankan fast bowler did have a decent stint in the nets as a prep for this possibility.

Probable XI: Phil Salt (wk), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc/Dushmantha Chameera, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma. [Impact Player: Venkatesh Iyer]

Punjab Kings

Injuries/Availability: Shikhar Dhawan has been on the road to recovery and could make a return to the XI in this fixture.

Tactics and Matchups: Shikhar Dhawan averages 52.5 against Sunil Narine, having been dismissed just twice in 91 deliveries by the spinner. Sam Curran strikes at 169 against the West Indian with just one dismissal. The two left-handers will be critical for PBKS to neutralise Narine's defensive bowling skills. If Dhawan returns to the XI, Harpreet Singh will make way for the skipper. There is also a possibility for Jonny Bairstow to slot back in, which would mean an axe for Rilee Rossouw.

Probable XI: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Jonny Bairstow/Rilee Rossouw, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Harshal Patel. [Impact player: Arshdeep Singh]

Did you know?

- 204 of the 252 runs scored by Phil Salt this season have come at Eden Gardens. The Englishman strikes at 184 in home games, compared to 145 away

- Ashutosh Sharma has a strike rate of 198 in death overs (16-20) this season