IPL 2024: High-flying KKR eye maiden win over LSG
Kolkata Knight Riders will host Lucknow Super Giants in Match 28 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Both teams have been pretty impressive this season with KKR losing their last fixture after winning three on the bounce. LSG have three wins in five games. They are also coming off a defeat. Here we look at the match preview.
Pitch report and match details
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).
Here is the H2H record
Since LSG made their IPL debut in IPL 2022, they have featured in only three matches in the competition against the Knights. The Super Giants crossed the line on every single occasion. Hence, KKR would be raring to get off the mark in this rivalry. Their only meeting last year came at the Eden Gardens as LSG recorded a one-run win while defending 176.
An enticing battle on the cards
Barring the loss against CSK, KKR have been sensational this season. They have performed brilliantly as a unit. Sunil Narine's big hitting at the top has been the key to their success. Andre Russell has also been in delightful form. LSG have also been a well-balanced unit. Mayank Yadav's absence hurt them in the last game against DC. KL Rahul's captaincy has been spot0on.
Here are the probable XIs
KKR (Probable XI): Philip Salt (wk), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy. Impact sub: Anukul Roy. LSG (Probable XI): Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yash Thakur, Arshad Khan/Mohsin Khan. Impact sub: Manimaran Siddharth.
Here are the key performers
Narine's powerplay strike rate of 176 in IPL is the highest among batters with at least 500 runs in this phase. Russell has been striking at a sensational 212.96 in IPL 2024. Quinton de Kock is LSG's leading run-getter this year with 164 runs at a strike rate of 141.38. Yash Thakur has been their best bowler (7 wickets at 20.29).
