Last Updated on 2 weeks by Charbel Coorey

RR vs KKR Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2022 Match 30 | RR vs KOL Dream11 Prediction Today | Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders Key Players | Brabourne Pitch Report

Match 30 of IPL 2022 is a crucial one. As we approach the halfway stage of the tournament, both Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders enter this contest with an incentive to go back into the top four. The team that loses here will have some catching up to do from outside the playoffs’ places.

After a wonderful start to the season, KKR have lost their past two games. RR, after a brilliant start against Gujarat, were then beaten convincingly courtesy of Hardik Pandya’s finishing and some poor batting outside of Jos Buttler’s magnificent half-century. So, both teams will be after improvement today.

Also, both teams are struggling with their death bowling. The Royals dearly missed Trent Boult last match, while KKR need more economical returns from the likes of Pat Cummins and Umesh Yadav in the crunch overs. When you consider Shimron Hetmyer and Andre Russell are in magnificent form, the bowlers will have a tall task to try and keep their opponent quiet in what could be a high-scoring match.

Possible Playing 11

There is no official word yet on whether Trent Boult is fit for this match after missing the Gujarat game with a niggle. He was seen in team challenge videos on the Royals’ socials, so he could be ready to go for this one.

Also, the Royals have a decision to make regarding a sixth bowling option. For all his quality, Rassie van der Dussen has made a slow start to his IPL 2022 campaign, so there is the option of keeping Jimmy Neesham in the team even if Boult is fit.

Rajasthan Royals: 1. Jos Buttler, 2. Devdutt Padikkal, 3. Sanju Samson (c & wk), 4. Rassie van der Dussen/Jimmy Neesham, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Riyan Parag, 7. R Ashwin, 8. Trent Boult, 9. Prasidh Krishna, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Kuldeep Sen

Sam Billings is reportedly available for selection today after missing the last match due to illness. KKR will have to make a call on whether they stick with Aaron Finch at the top.

Also, Shivam Mavi took 4/21 vs Royals last season, so KKR could look to play him in this match.

Kolkata Knight Riders: 1. Venkatesh Iyer, 2. Aaron Finch/Ajinkya Rahane, 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Nitish Rana, 5. Sheldon Jackson/Sam Billings (wk), 6. Andre Russell, 7. Sunil Narine, 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Aman Khan/Shivam Mavi, 10. Umesh Yadav, 11. Varun Chakravarthy

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Rajasthan Royals:

• Jos Buttler remains the Orange Cap holder with 272 runs at an average of 68.00 and strike rate of 152.80. His last effort was a brilliant 24-ball 54 vs Gujarat, where he looked good for more had it not been for a brilliant slower ball yorker by Lockie Ferguson.
• Buttler is yet to score a 50 for RR vs KKR, but is usually consistent against them: 6 inns, 161 runs, avg. 32.20, SR 135.29. He has a good record against KKR’s main seamers: 40 off 31 vs Cummins (no dismissal), 47 off 29 vs Umesh (one dimissal), 48 off 32 vs Russell (two dismissals).
• RR need a big performance from Sanju Samson. He averages just 22.55 and strikes at 110 in 12 innings vs KKR, including 3/47 in 59 deliveries vs Narine. But, the hope for Samson and RR is that he is striking at 223.33 vs spin this season.
• Shimron Hetmyer is in career-best touch. The left-hander is striking at 177.47 this season, which bumps up to 262 in the death overs – a period where KKR concede 12.97 per over.
• Trent Boult takes a wicket every 14 deliveries on average vs KKR (nine wickets in 22 overs). If Aaron Finch plays, then Boult has an opportunity to target Finch’s weakness against left-arm seam. Also, Boult has dismissed Russell twice in 15 deliveries in T20s (27 runs).
• Yuzvendra Chahal, the Purple Cap holder this season (12 wickets), has taken 19 wickets in 18 matches vs KKR. RR could look to employ him against Nitish Rana, whom he has dismissed four times in 57 deliveries for 69 runs in the IPL.

Kolkata Knight Riders:

• Shreyas Iyer has strong numbers against Chahal (72 runs off 51 deliveries, no dismissal). The KKR captain has struck a double-figure score in every match so far in IPL 2022, but has crossed 50 just once. It’s a big game for him.
• KKR will be aiming to introduce Nitish Rana when R Ashwin is bowling. Rana has smashed 74 off 35 against Ashwin in the IPL without dismissal. Also, Rana comes into this match with confidence after 36-ball 54 vs SRH a few nights ago.
• KKR could also introduce Sunil Narine as a pinch-hitter once again. He also has superb numbers against Ashwin, with 60 runs in 22 deliveries (one dismissal). Also, can Narine improve on his 10 wickets in 15 matches vs Royals?
• Andre Russell’s 179 runs come at a strike rate of 179 this season, and has five wickets with the ball. Also, he has scored 80 off 37 vs Chahal in the IPL (one dismissal).
• Varun Chakravarthy hasn’t been at his best this season, with just four wickets at an average of 47.75 and economy rate of 8.30. However, he does have good numbers against the Royals, with seven wickets in four matches at an average of 13.00 and economy rate of 5.69.
• Umesh Yadav against the Royals’ top order should make for an interesting battle. Umesh has taken 10 wickets this season, with his powerplay bowling a key feature once again.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 25, KKR 13, RR 11, N/R 1.
• RR are conceding 12.78 per over in the death overs this season. KKR are slightly worse at 12.97. Also, both teams average just one wicket per match at this stage.
• Umesh Yadav has dismissed Sanju Samson three times in 44 deliveries in the IPL, but Samson has scored 79 runs.
• Expect KKR to introduce spin early to Jos Buttler. Narine has figures of 3/61 in 54 deliveries vs Buttler in T20s. Chakravarthy has dismissed the opener twice in eight deliveries.
• RR will move to send place with a win today. KKR will move to at least third spot. Defeat, though, will mean time outside the top four.

Brabourne Pitch Report and Weather

Brabourne is the highest-scoring ground so far in IPL 2022. The average run rate is 9.43, with the average first innings score a high 192.14.

The team batting first has had some success on this ground, winning three of the seven matches. However, given this is a night game with dew likely, expect the captain who wins the toss to choose to chase.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson
• Batsmen: Shreyas Iyer
• All-rounders: Andre Russell
• Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Umesh Yadav

Match Prediction

Two evenly-matched teams makes this an intriguing match. Chasing could prove key here, so the team batting first needs to muster 180+ to feel in the game.