IPL 2024, Match 70: RR vs KKR IPL Records and Stats at Baraspara Stadium, Guwahati

RR & KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI&IPL)

Both teams have qualified for the playoffs of IPL 2024. Still, the final league stage match of the tournament will serve as a dress rehearsal of the playoffs as Rajasthan Royals will want to arrest a rather disappointing slide and get some momentum ahead of the playoffs.

KKR’s last game had to be abandoned even without the toss as the rains refused to relent in the match against GT at Ahmedabad. So KKR will be keen to see what life is like without Phil Salt especially as they get to the business end of the tournament.

RR after winning eight of their first nine matches, went on to lose four in a row. In their last match, PBKS imposed upon their batting. Apart from Riyan Parag, no RR batter could make a hefty contribution. PBKS ran into some similar problems with their top order before skipper Sam Curran took Punjab home with an unbeaten fifty.

In the reverse fixture at Kolkata, Sunil Narine’s first T20 century helped KKR put up what looked like an imposing total at first. RR and Jos Buttler did not get off to the best starts, but Buttler managed to stage a comeback, especially in the final overs as RR pulled off what at the time was the highest successful chase in the IPL. It was a match that solely belonged to Narine and Buttler, as apart from their centuries, the highest score was only 34.

Baraspara Stadium Pitch Report:

Not many matches have been held here, and last game, the pitch was challenging to bat on. This is not likely to change on such short notice. Both teams boast a strong bowling attack and will relish the conditions here especially here.

IPL Stats & records at Baraspara Stadium, Guwahati

Only 3 matches have been played here, and two have been won batting first. Interestingly both of these matches were played last year. The average first innings score here is 180.

RR vs KKR Strategies & Match-ups:

The conditions will be helpful for the bowlers early in the match, so the powerplay units will be looking to exploit them. The conditions will keep providing a challenge to the batters throughout so chasing seems to be the better strategy. The important matchups are: Sanju Samson vs Sunil Narine, Sanju Samson vs Varun Chakravarthy, Riyan Parag vs Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine vs Trent Boult, Venkatesh Iyer vs R Ashwin, Shreyas Iyer vs Yuzvendra Chahal

Player Battles to Watch Out For: 

Sanju Samson vs Sunil Narine:

Samson has not at all managed to get on top of Narine in the IPL ever. In 82 balls, Samson has scored just 66 runs at a strike rate of 80.48 while being dismissed thrice at an average of 22. On a difficult pitch, this battle will be important for RR.

Shreyas Iyer vs Yuzvendra Chahal:

In 69 balls, Iyer has scored 94 runs against Chahal at a strike rate of 136.23 while being dismissed twice at an average of 47. Iyer has been lacklustre in this season, and bossing this matchup will be key to his fortunes.

X-Factors for RR vs KKR:

Rajasthan Royals:

With players having left for the T20 World Cup, RR’s top order has received a hit. In such a situation, their highest run scorer and captain Sanju Samson will have to pull RR’s batting around him and lead them to win.

Kolkata Knight Riders:

As he has been all season, once again Sunil Narine will take up the initiative of contributing with both bat and ball and leading KKR’s charge.