Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
KKR vs RR Preview Dream11. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals Preview Dream11 Prediction
The form is poor, and the stakes are high. Confusion for both teams on the make up of their batting lineup is evident, reflective in their positions on the league table. Time is well and truly running out.
Had it not been for a number of freak innings from Andre Russell, Kolkata Knight Riders would be in last place. However, such has been the disappointment of recent performances that someone can have such an unbelievable tournament, yet last place is still very much a possibility. They sit just two points ahead of RR at the moment, and having lost five straight games, KKR have to dig deep to keep their playoff hopes alive.
It has also been a disappointing season for Rajasthan Royals. They are on their last legs, and will wave goodbye to Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer after this game. They will want big contributions from those two – especially Stokes, who has had a very underwhelming campaign. With just one win in seven at Eden Gardens, RR have to put together a performance they and their fans can be proud of to keep their faint hopes alive. Can they do it?
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Key to a KKR win
KKR have been very inconsistent in all departments in IPL 2019. They:
- Have relied on Andre Russell too much with the bat.
- Are the most expensive bowling side in IPL 2019 (9.10).
- Are dropping plenty of chances.
Sloppy play has to be rectified if they are to even think of a playoffs appearance. This starts with their batting, which was mighty poor vs SRH. Dinesh Karthik, with an average of 16.70, is enduring his second-worst IPL campaign. He has to step up as leader of the KKR side, and show the doubters that he belongs in India’s preliminary World Cup squad. Sunil Narine threatened with the bat last game, but KKR couldn’t take advantage, which puts onus on the likes of Chris Lynn, Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana to set a strong platform for Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell. Surely KKR won’t send Russell in at seven this time?
Also, can KKR’s struggling bowling attack keep RR quiet? RR scored 191 vs DC in their last game, which has to have KKR on high alert. They have struggled for early wickets in recent games, and have to find success in the powerplay against an RR side that batted with great intent last game. Harry Gurney and Prasidh Krishna, if both picked, will be crucial. However, how well will the spinners go? It is safe to say all three of Piyush Chawla, Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav have underwhelmed with the ball in IPL 2019, so the time to step up is now. Will it be smiles this time for Kuldeep (if picked) in particular?
Key to a RR win
Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith put doubts to rest about them both being in the same T20 side. They were outstanding in the last game, with Rahane in particular playing a gem in picking up his second IPL century. To think RR were flying even with Sanju Samson run out without facing a ball is cause for optimism for RR, especially given the impact Samson can have. If Rahane, Samson and Smith can all contribute at a good rate at the top, the likes of Ben Stokes will have no excuses in looking to capitalise. Will it be Liam Livingstone to join him in the middle order, given Ashton Turner’s horrible run of ducks? RR struggled at the death vs DC, which is something they must get right today.
Also, it was back to square one for RR with the ball last time out. Like KKR, they have struggled to keep the runs down throughout IPL 2019, and the latest episode was Dhawal Kulkarni and Jaydev Unadkat going the distance again vs DC. This is almost expected, but what isn’t is Shreyas Gopal going the distance, and he will be a key man in building the pressure on a stuttering KKR lineup along with Jofra Archer. Can RR work as a unit to get the better of KKR, limiting the damage caused by Andre Russell?
Possible Playing 11
Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa and three others were asked to take a break after the thrashing vs SRH and ahead of this game. KC Cariappa came in for Kuldeep Yadav last game. However, he went for 34 in his two overs, which could pave the way for Kuldeep Yadav to return. Also, will the out-of-form Robin Uthappa return, or could KKR push Andre Russell up a little further with Rinku Singh to bat at seven? What about promising Australian Matt Kelly over Harry Gurney?
KKR: 1. Chris Lynn, 2. Sunil Narine, 3. Nitish Rana, 4. Shubman Gill, 5. Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), 6. Andre Russell, 7. Rinku Singh, 8. Piyush Chawla, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Harry Gurney, 11. Prasidh Krishna
Also read: 4 key benefits of batting inners for cricketers!
For RR, it is hard to see Ashton Turner getting another game. He has scored three golden ducks in a row this IPL, part of five ducks in a row in all T20s. Also, do RR go with both Unadkat and Kulkarni?
RR: 1. Ajinkya Rahane, 2. Sanju Samson (wk), 3. Steve Smith (c), 4. Ben Stokes, 5. Liam Livingstone, 6. Stuart Binny, 7. Riyan Parag, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Shreyas Gopal, 10. Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Dhawal Kulkarni
Dream11 Prediction (based on final teams)
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Key stats and points:
- Before being run out without facing a ball vs DC, Sanju Samson had scores of 31, 27 and 35 in his previous three knocks. He is definitely worth considering as he is opening against a team that has struggled to take early wickets recently. He also averages 35 in five matches in Kolkata.
- Dinesh Karthik is having a poor tournament, but is the kind of player who will never give in. An option if KKR bat first?
- Chris Lynn scored a 50 last game vs KKR. However, his form has been patchy, so pick if you feel confident in Lynn overcoming Archer.
- Sunil Narine scored 47 (25) vs RR earlier this season. He is also coming off 25 (8) vs SRH. However, he has just seven wickets in 10 games vs RR, so is his batting a bigger reason to pick him?
- Ajinkya Rahane has a poor record at Eden Gardens (avg. 14 in nine games), but looks free without the captaincy.
- Steve Smith vs KKR’s wristspinners will be an interesting battle. Since IPL 2015, Smith has scored 214 runs in 191 balls vs this bowling, with four dismissals. However, he looks in better form than KKR’s wristspinners, so definitely worth considering.
- Ben Stokes was superb with the ball at Eden Gardens in IPL 2018, taking 3/15.
- Good value for money picks: Shubman Gill, Shreyas Gopal and Riyan Parag.
- Jofra Archer took seven wickets in three games before his last game vs DC. Dhawal Kulkarni has a poor record vs KKR, averaging 52 in five games with an economy of nearly 10. Jaydev Unadkat also struggles, taking just four wickets in eight games vs KKR.
- Kuldeep Yadav to come back firing? He has six wickets in four games vs RR, averaging 15.
- Harry Gurney vs RR this season: 2/25. Keep an eye out as to whether he plays over Matt Kelly.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 19, KKR 10, RR 9.
- KKR have won six of seven matches vs KKR in Kolkata. RR have not won at Eden Gardens since their very first game there back in May 2008.
- Since 2018: KKR 4-0 RR.
- Team chasing to win? KKR have won one of six when batting first in IPL 2019. RR have lost all four games when setting a target.
Match Prediction
Three correct predictions in a row, and the streak has to continue!
Even though RR have played better cricket in the last couple of matches, KKR at home in a crunch game is hard to go past. This is especially given RR’s awful record there. KKR to win.
Are you confident about the winning team today? 1xBet have a special free
€10 bet for IPL matches.
Thanks for reading!
