Must win game for Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals to keep playoff hopes alive

Bet on this Game     

Our Predictions 

• RR can bank on its Top 3 – Jaiwal, Buttler, and Samson, who made 1100+ runs between them 
• Rajasthan Royals have scored more than 190 runs seven times in 11 games proving their batting strength  
• Varun Chakravarthy has been the lone performer with the ball for KKR, but the rest have failed to deliver   

MATCH PREVIEW     

The fight for a playoff berth has heated up in the Indian Premier League 2023. Four teams have 10 points; the next few games will decide their fate. The 56th game between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Rajasthan Royals will be crucial for both teams. A win here will take them closer to finishing among the top 4. KKR has battled inconsistency, but they won against the Punjab Kings to stay in the hunt for playoffs. The Rajasthan Royals have hit turbulence with three consecutive losses, the last being against the Sunrisers. We expect a thrilling contest with high stakes for both teams in this game.       
 

Kolkata Knight Riders Preview     

Nitish Rana's side continues to surprise. When everybody had counted them off, they pulled off a 5-wicket win against the Punjab Kings in a last-ball finish. The KKR bowling attack, which has mostly failed the side, did well in the last game. They have had a tough time at their home ground this year, winning twice in five games. Rana will need a good show from his bowlers to stop the Rajasthan Royals’ batting juggernaut.  

The opening has been a problem as the side has tried several combinations. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Jason Roy must lay a strong start and exploit weaknesses in RR’s new-ball combination. Venkatesh Iyer has been rock solid though we have seen a few failures in recent games. He has to do well with Nitish Rana and Andre Russell. Rinku Singh has been the best finisher this season, scoring at a strike rate of 150 plus. He has to add quick runs with Sunil Narine and Shardul Thakur.  

KKR has to get it right with the new ball, as RR batsmen have destroyed bowling attacks. Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana aren’t the most experienced bowlers, and they must get their lines right in the early stages. Varun Chakaravarthy has been the star bowler for the side, and he needs to do well with Narine and Suyash Sharma. In the supporting role, they will expect good spells from Nitish Rana and Russell.  

Expected Starting XI for Kolkata Knight Riders     

Nitish Rana (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Shardul Thakur, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Suyash Sharma, Jason Roy (Impact Player)  

Rajasthan Royals Preview     

From starting the season as one of the favorites to losing the last three games, RR has seen it all. They made a mess in the last game to lose from a winning position against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their bowling attack has failed to defend 200+ scores in the last two out of three games. Samson would like better efforts with the ball, as KKR batsmen have done well.  

Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal have made more than 800 runs this season, and the pair will need an electrifying start. Samson has been consistent in the middle order and needs to score runs with Dhruv Jurel and Joe Root. Shimron Hetmyer adds to the side’s batting firepower down the order, and he will need to do well in the finishing role with Ravichandran Ashwin.  

The bowling attack must stand up to the challenge in this game after the brain fade moment against the Sunrisers. Trent Boult and Sandeep Sharma must get early breakthroughs to dominate the game. Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal have shared 31 wickets and shall be key bowlers for the side. They will also look for good spells from Murugan Ashwin and Kuldip Yadav.  

Expected Starting XI for Rajasthan Royals     

Sanju Samson (c & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Joe Root, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Sharma, Kuldip Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Murugan Ashwin, Trent Boult (Impact Player)  

TOSS: To Bowl First      

Batting conditions shall be difficult in the early overs when the ball shall move. In most games, we have seen the wicket ease as the game progresses. Both captains shall have this on their minds at the toss, and the side winning the toss is likely to bowl first.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

We expect a warm evening in Kolkata. The batting surface has been good though the spinners have got their rewards from this track. Batsmen can play on the up without worrying about the bounce and pace. The side batting first will need 180 runs on the board to feel confident.  

OUR PREDICTION      

The Kolkata Knight Riders have shown sparks of brilliance this year, but the side has lacked consistency. Their bowling attack and the opening pair have caused most of the trouble for the side. Their record at home has been dismal with two wins in five games. Rajasthan Royals have been the more consistent side and have their top order in good form. While we expect a close contest, we shall have our money on Rajasthan thanks to their batting prowess.  

Our Prediction is for Rajasthan Royals to win