IPL 2024, KKR vs LSG: Decoding the key player battles
Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants will cross swords in Match 28 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Both teams have been impressive this season as LSG have three wins in five games. KKR meanwhile lost their preceding fixture after winning each of their first three matches. Let's decode the key player battles that can be on display.
Quinton de Kock vs Sunil Narine
Quinton de Kock has already recorded two fifties this season. He would be raring to go big in the upcoming game. De Kock's battle with mystery spinner Sunil Narine would be enticing as the WI spinner has dismissed him twice across seven IPL meetings (SR: 98). Narine has managed just four scalps this season at an economy of 7.37.
Nicholas Pooran vs Varun Chakravarthy
Another mystery KKR spinner who can shine in the upcoming game is Varun Chakravarthy. His face-off with Nicholas Pooran can be exciting as he has dismissed the LSG southpaw twice across six IPL meetings. Pooran, however, has a brilliant strike rate of 175.86 in this battle, as per ESPNcricinfo. Moreover, the left-handed batter has been striking at 178.37 against spinners in IPL 2024.
Shreyas Iyer vs Ravi Bishnoi
Although Shreyas Iyer has made some vital contributions this season, he is yet to play a substantial knock. Against LSG, he is likely to tackle Ravi Bishnoi in the middle overs. Though Iyer is known for his ability to go big against spinners, his recent numbers against leg-spinners haven't been impressive. He has a paltry strike rate of 102.83 against leg-spinners since 2020 (IPL).
Andre Russell vs Naveen-ul-Haq
KKR dasher Andre Russell has been at his destructive best this season as his strike rate reads 212.96. LSG would not want to see his carnage as Naveen-ul-Haq could be entrusted with the responsibility of keeping the WI star quiet. The Afghanistan star's economy rate in the final four overs this year reads 9.17. He has scalped two wickets in this phase.
Key details about the match
Kolkata's Eden Gardens will host this game on April 14. The strip is good for batting and one can expect a high-scoring fixture. Spinners will get some assistance as the game proceeds. Over 400 runs were scored in KKR's previous outing here against Sunrisers Hyderabad. One can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network and stream the same on JioCinema (3:30pm IST).
