The highly anticipated match 42 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 will deliver an electrifying showdown between the two Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) And Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. As these two teams prepare to meet, their contrasting trends in the points table paint a vivid picture.
KKR is the epitome of unity and consistency and is currently in second place with an impressive record of five wins and two defeats in seven games. Their collective efforts and coherent performances have earned them a commendable position in the tournament standings.
Conversely, PBKS faces a familiar dilemma reminiscent of past seasons as they sit at the bottom of the points table with just two wins in eight games. Despite a talented roster, PBKS has struggled to convert its potential into tangible victories this season and faced obstacles that hindered their progress.
KKR vs. PBKS: Head-to-head records:
- Since the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008, KKR and PBKS have met a total of 32 times.
- Their encounters were marked by tough competition with KKR having a huge lead and securing victory in 21 games while PBKS registered 11 wins.
- In the last six encounters, the battle between PBKS and KKR has remained evenly matched, with both emerging victorious in three games each
- At the legendary Eden Gardens in Kolkata, KKR have dominated in the past and have a clear lead with nine wins compared to PBKS’s three.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Overview:
KKR will come into this game fresh from a bitter defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR), a contest that left fans on tenterhooks. Despite this setback, KKR continues to brim with confidence and have put in outstanding performances throughout the season. The opening duo of Phil Salt and Sunil Narine were a force to be reckoned with and proved their prowess against every opponent they faced. Additionally, the presence of Andre Russell in the middle order was crucial as the dynamic all-rounder showed excellent form. Additionally, the resurgence of players like Mitchell Starc has bolstered the team’s depth and versatility.
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KKR’s expected starting XI for the IPL 2024 match against PBKS:
- Phil Salt
- Sunil Narine
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Shreyas Iyer
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Andrew Russell
- Rinku Singh
- Mitchell Starc
- Hard rana
- Vaibhav Arora
- Varun Chakraborty
Squad characteristics:
Salt starts the innings with aggressive intent while Narine sets off fireworks at the top with his explosive batting. Raghuvanshi contributes to the stability of the middle order alongside the stylish Shreyas. Venkatesh’s all-round skills strengthen the balance of the team. Russell’s devastating striking power is unmatched, while Rinku provides support in the lower midrange. In the bowling department, Starc leads the attack with his quick pace, supported by emerging talents Harshit and Vaibhav. Varun Chakravarthy’s mysterious turn alongside Narine adds an extra dimension to the bowling line-up.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Overview:
PBKS, operating under the joint leadership of Sam Curran and Shikhar Dhawan, has had a turbulent journey marked by both struggles for form and misfortune at critical junctures. Despite displaying unwavering determination and captivating fans with their spirited performances, they were unable to overcome the final hurdle and missed out on the path to triumph.
PBKS’ likely starting XI for the IPL 2024 match against KKR:
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Rilee Rossouw
- Shashank Singh
- Sam Curran
- Liam Livingstone
- Jitesh Sharma
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Harpreet Brar
- Harshal Patel
- Kagiso Rabada
- Arshdeep Singh
A closer look:
Prabhsimran brings flair to the opening partnership while Rossouw offers experience and stability at the top of the order. Shashank and Livingstone provide solidity in the middle order, supported by the dynamic all-rounder Curran. Jitesh and Ashutosh strengthen the lower order with their ability to score quickly. In bowling, Brar’s spin and harshal variations add depth to the attack. Rabada leads the pace battery with his quick pace and deadly yorkers, with promising talent Arshdeep providing support.