IPL 2024, dominant KKR host PBKS at Eden Gardens: Preview
Kolkata Knight Riders are set to host Punjab Kings in Match 42 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season at Eden Gardens. This will be the first and only league-stage game between the two sides this season. The Knight Riders recently sealed a one-run win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while ninth-placed PBKS are coming off four successive defeats. Here is the match preview.
Pitch report, conditions, and streaming details
As mentioned, the iconic Eden Gardens will host the impending fixture. The KKR-RCB match at this venue saw both sides score over 220 runs. The wickets at Eden Gardens 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.
A look at head-to-head record
The two sides have clashed 32 times in IPL history, with the Knight Riders winning 21 games. PBKS are far behind in this battle with 11 wins. Notably, KKR have won nine out of 12 matches against PBKS at Eden Gardens. The latter own three wins in this regard. Notably, both sides beat each other once in IPL 2023.
KKR continue to rule; PBKS eye comeback
Second-placed KKR have won five of their seven encounters so far. The current form of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell has been bolstering them this season. KKR's latest win came against RCB as they defended 222, notwithstanding RCB reached 221. Meanwhile, PBKS desperately require two points after winning just two matches. It will be interesting to see if Shikhar Dhawan returns to action.
KKR Probable XI and impact subs
KKR (Probable XI): Philip Salt (wicket-keeper), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Harshit Rana. Impact players: Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
PBKS Probable XI and impact subs
PBKS (Probable XI): Sam Curran (captain), Prabhsimran Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wicket-keeper), Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, and Arshdeep Singh. Impact players: Rahul Chahar, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Atharva Taide, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, and Shivam Singh.
Here are the key performers
Fiery starts from Narine have been pivotal to KKR's success in the ongoing IPL season. He has smashed 286 runs at a staggering strike rate of 176.54. The tally also includes nine wickets. His compatriot Russell has been striking at 184.52. For PBKS, the talented Ashutosh has maintained a strike rate of 189.29. Curran has 11 wickets at 19.18 so far.
