KKR vs RR. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
Match 31 of the ongoing IPL 2024 (Indian Premier League), will witness the table toppers Rajasthan Royals (RR) getting hosted by the second-placed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Both teams have lost just one match so far and will look to continue their winning momentum.
In their last match, which was at Mullanpur, RR stumbled for a bit before eventually getting home chasing just 147 against Punjab Kings (PBKS). A result that will be comforting after Gujarat Titans (GT) broke their four-match losing streak at Ahmedabad.
On the other hand, KKR were also on a three-match winning streak before losing to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chennai but recovered by making light work of a chase of 162 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Kolkata. Either of these teams is certain to get their second loss of the season, and getting two losses close to each other after a winning streak might derail their season for a little bit.
Eden Gardens Pitch Report
Iconic venue Eden Gardens is typically two-paced and nipping kind of surface. Only two matches have happened here this season and both have shown very contrasting natures, but a pitch consistent with the one that was used against Lucknow Super Giants can be expected. Another low-scoring affair might just be on the cards.
IPL Stats and Records at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Speaking of some interesting stats peep of this venue, out of the 88 games played thus far, 52 matches have been won batting second at the Eden Gardens, thereby showcasing the dew-heavy nature of this pitch. Notably, the average first innings total is about 160 here.
88
Matches Won Batting First
36
Matches Won Batting Second
52
Matches Won Winnings Toss
47
Matches Won Losing Toss
41
Matches With No Result
0
Highest Team Total
235/4
Lowest Team Total
49
Average First Innings Total
160
Highest Total Successfully Chased
201
KKR vs RR Strategies and Match-ups:
The obvious strategy is to field first after winning the toss, there will be a lot of help for the new ball early on in both innings, but dew might make bowling difficult in the second innings. Both teams boast of extremely strong batting cores that have the ability to take the game away. The important matchups for this contest will be Trent Boult versus Phil Salt, Sunil Narine versus Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal versus Shreyas Iyer, and R Ashwin versus Sunil Narine, respectively.
Player Battles to Watch Out For:
Sunil Narine vs Sanju Samson:
The cunning Sunil Narine has bowled 88 balls to the Royals skipper and dismissed him thrice so far in the IPL. Sanju Samson has only managed 66 runs at a strike rate of 80.48 and an average of 22. This middle-overs contest will very easily dominate the course of this match.
Yuzvendra Chahal vs Shreyas Iyer:
KKR captain Shreyas Iyer is known to be a very good player of spin and that is reflected in his record against the highest wicket-taker in IPL history. In 64 balls that he has received from Yuzvendra Chahal across 10 innings, Iyer has scored 87 runs at an average of 87 and a strike rate of 135.93.
X-Factors for KKR vs RR:
Kolkata Knight Riders
Player of the Match in their last game, Phil Salt has looked very steady in his stint so far and KKR will continue to look to him to provide impetus to the innings at the start, especially after the sublime performance against LSG where he single-handedly took KKR to victory.
Rajasthan Royals
It is hard to look past anybody other than RR’s highest run-scorer this season, Riyan Parag to be their defining X-factor in this contest. His consistency with the bat has dug RR out of many a hole and he will once again be at the forefront expected to take RR home.