🏏IPL 2025 Match 53: KKR vs RR at Eden Gardens @ 3.30 PM IST🏏 - Page 3

The big question

KKR have three overseas players locked in: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Narine and Russell. But how do their best use their fourth? It appears Spencer Johnson and Anrich Nortje are not in the mix right now. Rovman Powell, the current preference, has been carded at No. 8 for their last two games, and a batter at that position averages fewer than six balls per game.

In the spotlight: Venkatesh Iyer and Dhruv Jurel

Venkatesh Iyer is being plagued by inconsistency. In seven innings this season, a struggling top order has offered him ample opportunity. But he has been out in single digits four times, and has crossed 40 only once. Compared to last season, Venkatesh's average has dropped from 46.3 to 20.3, while his strike rate has fallen from 159 to 139. Only Rishabh Pant and Abdul Samad have poorer averages this season (minimum 100 runs). With the batters above and below Venkatesh beginning to stitch together scores, it's time for KKR's vice-captain to do the same, with qualification for playoffs still a possibility.

Quotes

"Whatever happened before in the first half of the competition is history. We all know that in the IPL, it is important for teams to find their momentum at the back end of the competition. If we can do that, we give ourselves the best chance of being back-to-back champions."

Rovman Powell suggests KKR's dreams of defending their title is still very much alive

"Regardless of whether you're in the competition or not, you've got the RR badge on your chest, and you've got players with the attitude of wanting to turn up, compete, win, and that shouldn't matter if you're in the competition or not. So that energy and intensity is expected from the players regardless of the points table, and we didn't do that very well the other night [against Mumbai Indians]. It will be a hot day in Kolkata, and it will be challenging, but that's what's expected, and I want to see that from the boys."

RR bowling coach Shane Bond on playing for pride

Eden Gardens has been anything but a fortress for KKR, having won only one of five matches at the venue this season, losing three before the rain-out against PBKS. They’ve been vulnerable at home, but must turn that script around if they have hopes of qualifying. Currently, they would max out at 17 points if they manage to win the remainder of their four games, and they will likely have to do that. They are still mathematically in the equation even with a loss, but that would mean their fate wouldn’t rest in their own hands.

A low-on-confidence RR is at once a decent opponent to receive at this juncture of KKR’s season, but equally, one which has shown itself to be dynamic and capable of exciting cricket thanks to its two powerful, swashbuckling left-handed openers. With nothing except pride to play for, the pressure will be off for RR as they make the trip over to Kolkata. After rolling over somewhat in their 100-run loss against MI, RR will want to salvage some pride and end this season on a strong note, and take away some positives from a fairly miserable tournament in terms of big losses and losing from winning positions. With no Sandeep Sharma, Sanju Samson still injured, and a host of players not performing, this also presents a chance to test out some of the younger players in their squad. If it can work for players like their own Vaibhav Suryavanshi, there might be others who snap at the chance.

KKR JEET JANA PLZ

Thanks for the tag and thread WD

Thanks for the tag Parm.

May the best team win.

Cheers..

It's a double-header day in the IPL and first up we have Kolkata Knight Riders hosting Rajasthan Royals. While Royals' season is effectively over, KKR still have a glimmer of hope when it comes to defending their title. With only an outside chance of making the top four, KKR will be hungry for every point on offer. However, today they may face more weather trouble after their last home game was washed out. So keep an eye on the weather, and fingers crossed, we get a full game of cricket. Hello and welcome to ESPNcricinfo's live coverage of this game. I'm Abhimanyu and I'll be your eyes and ears today along with Ekanth.

Sreshth Shah is our man at the ground today and here's what he has to report: "Hi from Eden Gardens. Sunny and warm this afternoon. Sparse crowd right now. Deshpande and Akash Madhwal spotted marking their run-ups from RR side. Nitish Rana, the former KKR man, is visualising shots behind the main pitch. Rinku practicing his pulls, Gurbaz his drives. Moeen Ali is bowling in the practice nets with Anukul Roy, although there's no indication yet on whether they're playing."

Both these teams have played some mediocre cricket throughout the season, hence they haven’t been able to instil any confidence or excitement amongst their fans. The other teams have played far better cricket as their batting and bowling has clicked together. That hasn’t been the case with KKR and RR though. Young Vaibhav Suryavanshi played a rollicking knock against the Titans where he scored a century, but he was dismissed for a duck against MI. Will he be able to bounce back today? We shall find out soon. Toss and teams are not far away, stay tuned.

For KKR, it's do-or-die territory. For Rajasthan Royals, they already have one eye on IPL 2026. What all is at stake today for the two teams?