In Tuesday’s IPL match, Kolkata Knight Riders will be playing against Rajasthan Royals. Kolkata is looking to win this game to move to the top of the points table.
If Rajasthan wants to win this match, they will have to overcome the challenge posed by Sunil Narine of Kolkata. Narine, who was part of Kolkata’s title-winning teams in 2012 and 2014, has been in great form with his bowling at Eden Gardens. Under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership, Kolkata has once again become a strong contender for the title this season. Currently, Kolkata is in second place with eight points from five matches, while Rajasthan is leading with ten points from six matches.
In a recent match, Kolkata emerged victorious over Lucknow Super Giants with a commanding eight-wicket win. Phil Salt played an impressive innings, scoring a quick fifty to propel his team to victory. Sunil Narine, known for his bowling prowess, put up a strong performance, limiting Lucknow to 161 for 7. Not only a skillful bowler, Narine has also shown his batting skills in this IPL season. Mitchell Starc, the costliest player in IPL history, showcased his talent by taking three crucial wickets against Lucknow.
Despite the team’s success, captain Shreyas Iyer has been struggling to face the opposition’s bowlers, though he managed an unbeaten 38 in the last game. Players like Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, and the versatile all-rounder Andre Russell have been essential contributors to the team’s current form.
However, the Indian batsmen in the squad are yet to leave a notable mark. Rinku Singh had limited opportunities and could only muster 63 runs in four innings, while Nitish Rana missed out due to an injury.
The batsmen of the Rajasthan Royals team have been performing exceptionally well this season. Players like Captain Sanju Samson, Rian Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer have been scoring runs consistently. However, they face a tough challenge against Kolkata, especially with Narine’s formidable bowling.
The availability of Jos Buttler for the upcoming match is uncertain after missing the last game against Punjab Kings. Rian Parag is hoping for a big innings, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is still seeking his form. The team boasts a strong bowling attack with players like Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Keshav Maharaj, which could pose a challenge for Kolkata.