Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), fully filled with self-belief and terrific performances are flying high. Punjab Kings (PBKS), hit by fitness issues and forms of some of their key members of the side are trying to formulate their best playing eleven of this IPL 2024.
The KKR vs PBKS clash at the Eden Gardens on April 26, 2024, will provide both teams chances of different fortunes. The former will look to cement their position among the top four, while Punjab is somehow trying to get more contributions from its struggling top and middle order.
IPL 2024: KKR vs PBKS Playing 11- Match 42
The 2012 and 2014 champions, KKR have crafted their batting order and almost got the best results it. They would be a little worried about their bowling performances, especially the off-form of Mitchell Starc, the most expensive IPL player in its history.
Also Read: IPL 2024: SRH vs RCB Playing 11- Match 41
KKR Playing 11:
The KKR openers have scored runs at the second-best strike rate of 160.76 in the first six overs of this IPL 2024. Sunil Narine, opening the batting, is the highest run-getter for this team with 286 runs at a strike rate of 176.54 with a best of 109 against the Rajasthan Royals. Phil Salt, even after an inconsistent start in this season has managed 249 runs at a strike rate of 169.39.
Andre Russell has been fantastic coming in the death overs. His 200-batting strike rate in the last five overs of the innings is the ninth-best among those who have faced a minimum of 30 balls in this period. Their only concern in the batting will be their captain Shreyas Iyer, who has a strike rate of 126.67 so far.
In the bowling department, Sunil Narine has been fantastic with nine wickets at an economy of 7.10. He will have a huge role, being the highest wicket-taker (33) in KKR vs PBKS clashes. Harshit Rana has bowled with pace and aggression to collect the same number of wickets. It’s interesting to see how Starc pulls him for the rest of the season from a tournament economy of 11.48.
KKR’s lineup vs PBKS: Phil Salt (wk.), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rinku Sigh. Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy. (Impact Sub: Suyash Sharma)
PBKS Playing 11:
The fact that the highest run-getter for Punjab Kings, Shashank Singh comes at number six tells the condition of their top and middle order. The young player has got 195 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 168.10. Ashutosh Sharma, their number eighth batter is the second-highest run-getter for them with 159 runs at a strike rate of 189.29.
Their vice-captain, Sam Curran hasn’t fired with the bat as he has just 152 runs at a strike rate of just 116.03. In the bowling department, his 11 wickets have come at an economy of 8.79. Harshal Patel is the joint highest wicket-taker of the competition but at an economy of 9.58. Things haven’t been smooth for them in either of the departments.
PBKS Lineup vs KKR: Harpreet Singh/Shikhar Dhawan (c), Sam Curran (vc), Prabhsimran Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Jitesh Sharma (wk.), Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada. (Impact Sub: Arshdeep Singh).
