In a nail-biting finish, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their last game. Now, they are gearing up to face Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic Eden Gardens in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Friday.
Currently placed 2nd in the points table with 10 points from seven matches, KKR will be looking to maintain their winning streak. On the other hand, PBKS are struggling at the 9th position with just two wins from eight matches.
KKR seems well-positioned to secure a spot in the playoffs with the best net run rate among all teams. In contrast, PBKS will need to win all their remaining games to stay in contention for the playoffs.
Having faced each other 32 times in the IPL, KKR holds the upper hand with 21 wins. However, PBKS have managed to defeat KKR twice in their last five encounters.
KKR’s dynamic opening duo of Phil Salt and Sunil Narine have been instrumental in scoring runs for the team. Skipper Shreyas Iyer also showcased his form in the last game by scoring a fifty off just 36 balls.
On the bowling front, Narine, Andre Russell, and Harshit Rana have been key wicket-takers for KKR. However, Varun Chakaravarthy and Mitchell Starc will be looking to improve their performances in the upcoming match.
PBKS, on the other hand, have struggled with their batting lineup, with Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, and Prabhsimran Singh leading the charge. Their bowlers, including Sam Curran, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, and Arshdeep Singh, have been impressive but need to work on their economy rates.
With both teams aiming for a crucial win, the KKR vs PBKS match promises to be an exciting showdown at the Eden Gardens.