A quality that defines both Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals is their fighting spirit. Both teams have begun well this season but it remains to seen where they can carry on the momentum in the later stages. Both have also squeezed out every resource available to produce the desired result and the same will be the case when they clash at Eden Gardens on April 26. Let us take a look the combined XI strongest team of both of them:
Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir (c), Steven Smith (vc), Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Uthappa (wk), Deepak Hooda, Andre Russell, Chris Morris, Morne Morkel, Umesh Yadav, Pravin Tambe
–> Rahane: The obvious choice as an opener. Currently, he is the highest run-getter of the tournament. (323 runs in 7 games)
–> Gambhir: Kolkata’s leading run-getter in the tournament so far (190 runs in 5 matches) and has also led them to three wins with his inspired captaincy.
–> Smith: Tipped to be Australia’s next ODI captain, Smith has continued (172 runs in 7 matches) from where he left in the 2015 World Cup. He also captained RR to four consecutive wins this season.
–> Suryakumar: Yet to fire in the tournament but his crucial knocks against MI and KXIP proved decisive in KKR’s victory.
–> Uthappa: As Sanju Samson has been in poor form this season, picking Uthappa (who has had an average start to the tournament) ahead of him was a no-brainer.
–> Hooda: The youngster from RR is establishing into a finisher and his form in the later stages of the tournament will prove crucial to RR’s chances. Currently, Hooda has hit 11 sixes – the most by any Rajasthan player this season.
–> Russell: The swashbuckling all-rounder from KKR has got only three chances to bat till now but with Shakib expected to join the squad in the second week of May, he might get chances up the order. His innings of 66 off just 36 balls sealed the deal for KKR against KXIP.
–> Morris: Has been spot on with his yorkers but needs to pick more wickets. (So far, has picked 5 wickets at an economy rate of 7.26)
–> Morkel: KKR’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament so far (9 wickets in 5 matches at an economy rate of 7.05)
–> Yadav: Has picked up wickets but economy (8.46) needs to improve a bit.
–> Tambe: RR’s best bowler in the tournament so far ( 6 wickets in 7 matches at an economy rate of 7.12)