KKR vs RR: Preview, head-to-head and Fantasy XI
What's the story
Kolkata Knight Riders host Rajasthan Royals in a bid to strengthen their chances to qualify for the play-offs. Same goes for RR, who have won three games in a row and carry the same points as their opponents. Match number 49 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 promises to be a cracking affair at the Eden Gardens. Here's our pre-match report.
Battle
Royals just ahead in head-to-head encounters
The two teams have faced each other 16 times in IPL and RR enjoy a narrow 9-7 advantage. At the Eden Gardens, they have met five times with the hosts enjoying a 4-1 cushion. Earlier this season, KKR beat RR in Jaipur and a double over them is what DK needs. But with the form RR is now enjoying, it will be difficult.
Personal
Probable Playing XI - Kolkata Knight Riders
Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (captain and wicket-keeper), Andre Russell, Shubman Gill, Javon Searles, Kuldeep Yadav, Piyush Chawla and Prasidh Krishna.
Personal
Probable Playing XI - Rajasthan Royals
D'Arcy Short, Jos Buttler (wicket-keeper), Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Stuart Binny, Jofra Archer, Krishnappa Gowtham, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Dhawal Kulkarni.
Lots in store
A good pitch to play on
The pitch will assist batsmen and once can say a score of 175-180 will be a good total for the team batting first. Pacers too will enjoy bowling on the surface. The city has received a lot of rainfall in the last few days, but Monday eve was clear. According to reports, there may be some rainfall on Tuesday.
Numbers game
Stat box: KKR vs RR
KKR spinners have picked a total of 38 wickets in IPL 2018. The average first innings score at Eden is 182. RR have picked just 60 wickets in total in IPL 2018. Jos Buttler has hit five successive fifties in IPL 2018 with last two scores being 94* and 95*. No KKR batsman has scored 400+ runs in IPL 2018.
Dream XI
Buttler, Narine our choice as leaders of Fantasy XI
In-form Jos Buttler gets the nod as skipper with Sunil Narine's defining all-round skills get him the vice-captaincy. The likes of Robin Uthappa, Shubman Gill, Ajinkya Rahane and D'Arcy Short come in as batsmen of the side. Besides Narine, we go with Andre Russell and Ben Stokes as the other all-rounders. We choose three bowlers in Jofra Archer, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna.