The stakes are high as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) clash in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad tonight at 7:30 PM IST.
KKR, the table topper with nine wins from 14 matches, were on a hot streak before rain washed out their last two games. This double-edged sword presents both advantages and disadvantages. With their last competitive match played on May 5, the team has had ample time to rest and recover from the gruelling IPL schedule. However, this long break could also lead to a dip in momentum due to a lack of recent match practice.
SRH, who finished second with eight wins in 14 games, might face a slight adjustment as they transition from their familiar home ground in Hyderabad to Ahmedabad for this crucial match.
Both teams have displayed a similar aggressive approach throughout the season, relying heavily on their openers to set the tone with a high-risk, attacking style. However, KKR face a setback with the departure of their opener, Phil Salt, for national duties. This could prompt them to field Rahmanullah Gurbaz alongside Sunil Narine. The Afghan opener, Gurbaz, hasn’t played a single game this season, while Narine is yet to score a run in Ahmedabad, having been previously dismissed for ducks three times.
In contrast, SRH retain their established opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, offering them stability at the top.
While their batting approaches share similarities, the bowling strategies of both sides differ significantly. KKR lean heavily on their spin duo of Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, while SRH rely on their pace attack featuring T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Pat Cummins. Notably, Kumar has been particularly impressive in Ahmedabad, taking nine wickets in three games while conceding less than a run a ball.
Head-to-Head:
The two teams kicked off their IPL 2024 campaign against each other at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, where KKR emerged victorious by a narrow margin of four runs.
Historically, KKR hold the upper hand in head-to-head encounters, boasting a dominant record of 17 wins to SRH’s nine. They have further solidified their dominance since 2020, winning seven out of their nine meetings.
Where-to-Watch:
OTT: JioCinema