IPL: Decoding the performance of Ben Stokes against KKR
All eyes will be on an in-form Ben Stokes when Rajasthan Royals face Kolkata Knight Riders tonight in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 season. Both RR and KKR play their final league game and need to win to be in the playoffs race. Stokes, who has scored heavily in the last two games for RR, needs to deliver. We decode his performance.
How has Stokes fared against KKR bowlers Narine and Cummins
As of now, the Englishman has managed to score 17 runs off 17 balls by KKR's ace spinner Sunil Narine, while the latter has dismissed him once. Meanwhile, Narine has claimed 10 wickets against RR with a best of 2/25. Stokes has managed to score eight runs off 11 balls by Pat Cummins, while the Aussie pacer has dismissed him once.
Stokes hasn't quite fired against KKR
Till date, against Kolkata Knight Riders, Stokes has racked up just 57 runs from five games at a strike rate of 90.48. The tally also includes one six and three fours. He will need to improve this tally if RR are to emerge triumphant.
KKR need to stop Stokes in the powerplay overs
In the ongoing 13th edition of the IPL, Stokes has scored 159 runs in seven matches at an average of 39.75 in the powerplay overs. The move to send him up has worked for RR as Stokes has smashed two fifty-plus scores in the last two games. For KKR, Cummins will be key in powerplay overs. He has taken four wickets during this phase.
Stokes' overall show and his performance in IPL 2020
In 41 IPL matches, Stokes has accumulated 902 runs at an average of 26.53. He has amassed two hundreds and two fifties, with a best of 107*. Stokes has also smashed 77 fours and 31 sixes. With the ball, he has claimed 28 scalps at 32.93. In IPL 2020, the southpaw has scored 267 runs so far at 44.50.
