The 42nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 witnesses Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata tonight at 7:30 PM IST.
KKR and PBKS find themselves at opposite ends of the points table. KKR currently hold the second position, while PBKS languish in the penultimate spot.
KKR’s batting has been a force to reckon with. Openers Sunil Narine (286 runs) and Phil Salt (249 runs) have consistently provided explosive starts with a strike rate close to 170. The middle order has seen the emergence of Angkrish Raghuvanshi (118 runs) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (190 runs) while the finishing duo of Andre Russell and Rinku Singh provide the much-needed firing late in the innings.
KKR’s bowling attack boasts a potent trio of Narine, Harshit Rana, and Russell, each with nine wickets to their name. Narine leads the pack in economy, conceding just 7.10 runs per over. Varun Chakaravarthy (eight wickets), Vaibhav Arora (seven wickets), and Mitchell Starc (six wickets) have also contributed significantly.
PBKS enter this match desperate to break their losing streak. Despite staying competitive until the final stages, they have faltered in close encounters, losing by narrow margins in their last four outings. Inconsistency plagues their batting, with their highest scorers emerging from the lower middle order – Shashank Singh (195 runs) and Ashutosh Sharma (159 runs). Shikhar Dhawan‘s potential return could bolster their batting, as he has led the team with 152 runs in five innings.
The bowling department has been spearheaded by Harshal Patel (13 wickets) and ably supported by Sam Curran (11 wickets), Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh with 10 wickets each.
Head-to-Head:
Historically, KKR hold the upper hand against PBKS. In their 32 past encounters, KKR have emerged victorious on 21 occasions, while PBKS have managed to win 11 matches.
Tonight’s clash promises an exciting battle between a dominant KKR and a struggling PBKS desperate to turn the tide.
Where-to-Watch:
OTT: JioCinema