Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders will look to seal a convincing victory over struggling Rajasthan Royals of their final round-robin recreation to remain forward within the race for the IPL play-offs right here on Thursday.
With 12 factors from 13 matches, KKR are at present fourth within the pecking order, forward of defending champions Mumbai Indians on web run-rate.
Mumbai even have 12 factors from 13 matches and nonetheless should play towards bottom-ranked Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday.
If KKR and MI each win their final matches, it’s going to boil all the way down to web run fee and that is the place the Eoin Morgan-led aspect (0.294) will get the sting because it at present enjoys a constructive run fee in comparison with the Mumbai outfit. is (- 0.048).
KKR had a blended bag thus far within the second leg of the match, successful 4 and shedding two video games.
While KKR began the second leg with back-to-back victories over Royal Challengers Bangalore and MI earlier than shedding to Chennai Super Kings, they got here again to defeat desk toppers Delhi Capitals.
“Where’s Russell? Where’s Lockie?”
… nicely, they’re on the coaching floor, firing in all cylinders @ russell 12a #lockieferguson #KKR #AmiKKR #KorboLorboJeetbo #I’m KKR #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/oK9VkA4poJ— Kolkata Knight Riders (@KKRiders) October 6, 2021
After a loss towards Punjab Kings they beat SRH by six wickets to maintain their nostril forward within the race for the ultimate play-off spot.
KKR placed on a formidable present within the second half and even their two losses have been brief, the place they misplaced within the final over.
In the batting division, Venkatesh Iyer has been a star performer for KKR within the second leg whereas Rahul Tripathi has additionally been spectacular this season.
Young Shubman Gill scored a superb half-century in KKR’s final match, which is sweet for the crew. Nitish Rana, who’s prime of the order within the batting order, has additionally accomplished nicely however skipper Morgan’s kind stays a trigger for concern.
A have a look at the factors desk after match 51 #VIVOIPL I #RRVMI pic.twitter.com/VwyvG4FKfP
– Indian Premier League (@IPL) 5 October 2021
The inclusion of Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan within the second leg for the primary time within the earlier match has given a brand new dimension to the crew.
In the bowling, thriller spinner Varun Chakraborty has been the crew’s favourite whereas Sunil Narine has additionally been concerned within the wickets.
In the absence of Andre Russell and Lockie Ferguson, who missed a number of video games following accidents, Tim Southee and Shivam Mavi are the brand new quick bowling pair for KKR.
Fast bowler Pranbhav Krishna did nicely towards CSK to choose up 4 wickets within the matches he performed earlier than conceding 22 runs within the nineteenth over.
RR are out of the working, ending seventh within the eight-team standings with 10 factors from 13 matches.
And coming Thursday, RR want to sprint KKR’s hopes and finish their marketing campaign on a constructive notice.
RR has been hit laborious by the type of their Indian batsmen. Barring Yashvi Jaiswal and to a lesser extent captain Sanju Samson, the Indian batsmen within the crew lacked intent.
With Mustafizur Rahman as his most skilled abroad signing and younger Chetan Sakariya within the ranks, RR’s bowling is a bit skinny on expertise.
Teams:
Kolkata Knight Riders: Eoin Morgan (Captain), Dinesh Karthik, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Karun Nair, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, Harbhajan Singh, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Pawan Negi, M Pranand Krishna, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Dubey. Tim Southee, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell, Ben Cutting, Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Sheldon Jackson, Tim Seifert.
Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (captain), Liam Livingstone, Evin Lewis, David Miller, Chris Morris, Oshane Thomas, Mustafizur Rahaman, Tabraiz Shamsi, Glenn Phillips, Chetan Sakariya, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Akash Singh, Anuj Rawat, KC Cariappa, Yashashvi Jaiswal , Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Kartik Tyagi, Mayank Markande, Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldip Yadav, Mahipal Lomror.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
