KKR Vs PBKS: Kolkata Knight Riders on a Winning Streak

KKR look to maintain their winning ways against struggling Punjab Kings

KKR Vs PBKS

Kolkata Knight Riders, currently sitting strong at number two in the points table, will face off against Punjab Kings who are placed ninth.
KKR is on a roll, having won five out of their seven matches so far, with their latest victory being a thrilling one-run win against RCB.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings are going through a tough time, managing only two wins in eight matches.
Historically, KKR has dominated the head-to-head record against Punjab Kings with 21 wins to Punjab’s 11.

Given their current form and historical dominance, KKR appears to be the favorite to win this upcoming match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

KKR Vs PBKS: Weather/Pitch report

Kolkata heats up for KKR vs PBKS clash!

Expect a scorcher during the day for the KKR vs PBKS match at Eden Gardens. Temperatures will be around 40-42 degrees Celsius under a bright sun.

While the evening brings some relief with temperatures dropping to 29 degrees Celsius, clear skies and muggy conditions will make things sweaty for the players on the field.

Get ready for another run-fest at Eden Gardens!

KKR takes on PBKS in the fourth match at this iconic venue, and with three prior high-scoring encounters exceeding 200 runs on each side, history suggests a similar fate on Friday.

Expect a pitch that favors the batsmen once again, although pace bowlers might find some assistance. Buckle up for a match dominated by big hitting!

KKR Vs PBKS: Predicted Playing XI

Kolkata Knight Riders

S Iyer (C), Ramandeep Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, RK Singh, VR Iyer, AD Russell, SP Narine, Mitchell Starc, Varun Chakravarthy, H Rana, PD Salt (wk)

Punjab Kings

P Simran Singh, JM Sharma (wk), Shikhar Dhawan (C), RR Rossouw, AR Sharma, Shashank Singh, LS Livingstone, SM Curran, Harpreet Brar, K Rabada, HV Patel

KKR Vs PBKS: Captain/Vice-Captain Picks

KKR’s batting powerhouse:

Sunil Narine: A serious contender for MVP, Narine is a true all-rounder. He’s leading the KKR batting with a whopping 286 runs at a blistering strike rate of 176.54, even scoring a century! He’s also chipped in with 9 wickets, showcasing his bowling prowess.
Andre Russell: Remember that explosive 25-ball 64 he smashed at Eden Gardens this season? Russell brings more to the table than just power hitting. He’s bagged 9 wickets in just 7 matches, boasting the best strike rate (8.89) and the fourth-best bowling average (14.89) – a true nightmare for opposing batsmen.

A bright spot for PBKS:

Shashank Singh: This uncapped Indian player has been a ray of hope for the struggling Punjab Kings. He’s emerged as their batting backbone with some impressive performances throughout the season.

KKR Vs PBKS: Top Player Picks

KKR’s Explosive Opener:

Philip Salt: This wicket-keeper batsman has become a key player for KKR’s strong start. He’s been delivering quick-fire knocks at the top of the order, like his 14-ball 48 against RCB at Eden Gardens. Remember his match-winning 89 against LSG on the same ground? Look out for him to provide another explosive start alongside Narine.

KKR Captain Finds Form:

Shreyas Iyer: The KKR skipper started slow but has found his rhythm as the tournament progresses. His recent half-century against RCB was crucial for their victory.

A Rising Star for PBKS:

Ashutosh Sharma: This young talent has been a breakout performer for Punjab Kings. Nicknamed a “monster” for his power hitting, he forms a formidable lower-middle-order partnership with Shashank Singh. Sharma boasts a staggering strike rate of 189.29 and has already scored 159 runs in just five innings.

KKR Vs PBKS: Dark Horse Picks

KKR’s Wicket-Taking Threat:

Harshit Rana: This right-arm pacer has been a wicket-taker for KKR, especially at Eden Gardens. He’s already grabbed 9 wickets in just 6 matches, with 7 of those coming on his home ground.

PBKS’s All-rounder:

Sam Curran: The English all-rounder is a crucial player for Punjab Kings. While his batting hasn’t quite clicked yet this season, he’s been impactful with the ball, picking up 5 wickets in his last 3 matches.

PBKS’s Wicket-Taking Machine (But Beware the Runs):

Harshal Patel: This right-arm pacer might be expensive with the runs he concedes, but he knows how to take wickets. Currently the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 13 scalps in 8 matches, he’ll be looking to add to his tally.

KKR Vs PBKS: Player Matchups

Sunil Narine Vs Kagiso Rabada

Sunil Narine, the KKR pinch-hitter, is on fire and poses a major threat to PBKS. He’s been scoring runs at an incredible pace, having amassed 86 runs at a staggering strike rate of 176.54, including a century.

The left-handed batsman is likely to explode for a quickfire knock in the powerplay, potentially shifting the momentum of the match drastically. However, Narine will need to overcome the challenge of Punjab’s premier fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, before wreaking havoc.

While Rabada conceded some runs against Narine in the past, he was also successful in dismissing the Caribbean opener twice. This upcoming battle between two in-form players will be a fascinating watch.

Liam Livingstone Vs Varun Chakaravarthy

Livingstone a Threat Despite Recent Form:

Even though Liam Livingstone hasn’t been firing on all cylinders lately, his ability to effortlessly launch the ball over the boundary makes him a danger zone for KKR. The Eden Gardens pitch, known for its batting paradise qualities, could be a launchpad for his power hitting. KKR won’t underestimate him, remembering the damage he can inflict when in top form.

Chakaravarthy’s Challenge: Taming the Big Hitter

The responsibility of keeping Livingstone in check falls on the shoulders of KKR’s mystery spinner, Varun Chakaravarthy. Livingstone is expected to bat in the middle order, where Chakaravarthy will aim to outsmart him with his deceptive leg-spin deliveries. Their past encounter, a six-ball battle, saw Chakaravarthy emerge victorious, conceding only seven runs and dismissing Livingstone once. This upcoming clash promises to be another intriguing duel.

Andre Russell Vs Harshal Patel

Russell Primed for Explosive Finish

Andre Russell, the KKR powerhouse hitter, will be entrusted with the responsibility of delivering a blistering finish. He’s already proven his mettle at Eden Gardens earlier this season, smashing a phenomenal 64 runs off just 25 balls. KKR will be hoping for a similar fiery knock from him.

Russell Vs Patel: A Crucial Match-up

However, Russell will face a significant challenge in the form of Punjab’s death-bowling specialist, Harshal Patel. Patel possesses an uncanny ability to snatch crucial wickets at the death and is currently the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Notably, he’s already dismissed Russell twice in just 26 balls faced. This upcoming battle between two in-form players – Russell’s batting prowess against Patel’s death-bowling expertise – will be a pivotal point in the match.

KKR Vs PBKS: Dream 11, Team 1, Small League & H2H

Wicketkeeper: Phil Salt
Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh
All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran
Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana

Captain: Sunil Narine
Vice-captain: Sam Curran

KKR Vs PBKS: Dream 11, Team 2, Grand League

Wicketkeepers: Jitesh Sharma
Batters: Venkatesh Iyer, Ashutosh Sharma, Angkrish Raghuvanshi
All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Hapreet Brar

Captain: Liam Livingstone
Vice-captain: Andre Russell

KKR Vs PBKS – Who could Win?

KKR Favored to Triumph: Numbers and Momentum Align

The odds seem stacked in Kolkata’s favor for this match. Google’s win probability analysis predicts a strong 59% chance of KKR emerging victorious. Our prediction echoes this sentiment. Shreyas Iyer’s leadership has propelled KKR into a winning groove, while Punjab, missing the experience of Shikhar Dhawan at the helm, have been grappling for consistency. This combination of factors suggests a potential win for Kolkata Knight Riders.