IPL 2024, KKR vs DC: Decoding the key player battles
The high-flying Delhi Capitals will be up against the second-placed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 47 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). While KKR have five wins in eight games, DC have five triumphs and as many defeats. Four of DC's wins have come in the last five games. Here we decode the key player battles.
Jake Fraser-McGurk vs Sunil Narine
Jake Fraser-McGurk has toiled with bowlers in the powerplay overs as his strike rate in this phase in IPL 2024 reads 265.21, as per ESPNcricinfo. As he has been unfazed by the pacers, KKR can introduce Sunil Narine early on. The spinner has conceded runs at just 6.96 this season (10 wickets). Fraser-McGurk has fallen to spin twice across three innings in IPL 2024.
Rishabh Pant vs Varun Chakravarthy
DC skipper Rishabh Pant has led the team from the front as his strike rate is over 160 this season. KKR bowlers would not want to see his wrath. Pant is certain to tackle mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy in the middle overs. Their battle would be enticing. Chakaravarthy has dismissed Pant twice across five IPL meetings, conceding just 27 runs off 26 balls.
Sunil Narine vs Khaleel Ahmed
Narine has also made a lot of noise with his bat this year. He has been a menace in the powerplay overs as his strike rate in this phase is 177.39. Khaleel Ahmed will have the onus to dismiss him with the new ball. Notably, the left-arm pacer has dismissed the KKR dasher twice across four IPL meetings.
Andre Russell vs Kuldeep Yadav
Narine's compatriot Andre Russell has been striking at 186.46 this year. His battle with the in-form Kuldeep Yadav would be enticing. Notably, the left-arm wrist-spinner has dismissed his former KKR teammate once across three IPL meetings. However, Russell's IPL strike rate against left-arm spinners since 2022 reads 173.17. With 12 wickets at 19, Kuldeep is DC's second-leading wicket-taker in IPL 2024.
Key details of the match
The iconic Eden Gardens will host the impending fixture on April 29. The last two games here have witnessed four 220-plus totals. The wickets here hence have enough juice for the batters, while humid conditions test the players. The match, starting at 7:30pm IST, can be watched live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on the JioCinema app for free.
