KKR face RCB at Eden Gardens: Preview and stats
Kolkata Knight Riders face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 36 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season on Sunday at Eden Gardens. This is an afternoon game on a double-header day. KKR, who have started well in the IPL 2024, were stunned by the Jos Buttler show in their previous match despite being ahead. Meanwhile, RCB have been awful this season. Here's more.
The story of the two teams in IPL 2024
KKR are currently second after six matches with four wins and two losses (NRR: +1.399). Their two losses have been against CSK and RR respectively. At Eden Gardens, KKR have played thrice, winning two and losing one. RCB are at the bottom of the 10-team table. They have secured a win in addition to facing six defeats (NRR: -1.185).
KKR have the advantage in H2H meetings
The two teams have met on 33 occasions in the cash-rich league. The Knight Riders have the edge with 19 wins. The Challengers have won the remaining 14 matches. Since the start of the IPL 2023 season, KKR have beaten RCB in all three meetings, including a seven-wicket win in the 2024 season in Bengaluru.
KKR eye their 50th win at Eden Gardens
As per ESPNcricinfo, KKR have played 84 IPL matches at Eden Gardens. They have gone on to win 49 matches in addition to losing 35 encounters. If KKR beat RCB, this would be their 50th win on home soil.
KKR vs RCB: Key details
Players would be tested immensely in hot and humid conditions. The afternoon game makes it even more difficult. As seen this season, the pitch will assist batters. Spinners will be key, with pacers needing to count on their variations. The match will start at 3:30 pm IST. One can watch it live on the Star Sports Network and stream the same on Jio Cinema.
KKR are the favorites in this contest
KKR were left stunned against the Royals as Buttler took the game away. Death bowling is what the KKR bowlers need to work upon. Batting wise, the Knights are a threat and will back themselves to score big. RCB have issues with their bowling and need to sort things out. The batting is over-dependent on the big stars. RCB need an all-round performance.
KKR vs RCB: Decoding key stats
KKR's Rinku Singh owns 2,463 runs in the T20s and is 37 shy of the 2,500-run mark. Virat Kohli has scored 944 runs against KKR and is 56 shy of the 1,000-run mark. In 20 matches, Sunil Narine has claimed 24 wickets against RCB at 20.87. In six matches this season, Narine has smashed 276 runs at a strike rate of 187.75.
KKR's probable XI
KKR probable playing XI: Philip Salt (wk), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Nitish Rana, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mitchell Starc, Varun Chakaravarthy. Impact players: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Manish Pandey, Chetan Sakariya, Suyash Sharma, Vaibhav Arora.
RCB's probable XI
RCB probable playing XI: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Saurav Chauhan, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror, Lockie Ferguson, Reece Topley, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Dayal. Impact players: Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Mohammed Siraj.
