IPL 2024, KKR vs RCB - A Surprise Waiting For RCB? 3 Match-Winners for KKR

Sunil Narine and Andre Russell during the partnership in the last match [AP Photos]Sunil Narine and Andre Russell during the partnership in the last match [AP Photos]

The Kolkata Knight Riders will be facing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 36th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). This match will be played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 21st at 3:30 PM IST. 

The KKR team has been in great form. They have won four out of six matches and are currently hovering around the top half of the table. They have the momentum and will be looking to maintain that to stay ahead in the race to the top four. 


Eden Gardens Ground Stats (IPL 2024)

Stats
Numbers
Matches3
Matches won batting first1
Matches won batting second2
Average first innings score
197
Average second innings score
197
Wickets by pacers24
Wickets by spinners11

The Kolkata Knight Riders generally enjoy their time at the Eden Gardens. The pitch at this venue has already seen three games in the tournament. It has looked like a good wicket, and the batters have got full value for their shots. However, keeping the RCB batting lineup in mind, the KKR management might opt for a wicket that is a tad bit slower in assisting the spinners. They would be even more inclined to use a slower track because this will be a day game. 


Three Match-winners for KKR

Sunil Narine

The West Indian all-rounder has been in brilliant form in IPL 2024. Sunil Narine has contributed with both the bat and the ball for his team. He has already scored 276 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 187.75; Narine has also picked up seven wickets in six matches while having an economy of 6.87. 

The all-round form is with Narine, and he will be looking to maintain the momentum. His numbers against RCB, especially at Eden Gardens, will give him even more confidence. Narine has batted four times against RCB at the Eden Gardens and has scored 102 runs in them at an average of 34 while having a strike rate of over 190. With the ball, he has picked up ten wickets in seven matches at an economy of just 6.04. Narine’s bowling strike rate and average against RCB at Eden Gardens are 16.9 and 16.9, respectively. These numbers, along with his confidence of the century from the last match, make him the biggest potential match-winner for this game. 

Andre Russell

Alongside Sunil Narine, Andre Russell is a legend of the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise. Like Narine, Russell has also done a great job in the tournament in whatever chances he has got. In just four innings Russell has scored 128 runs in IPL 2024 at a strike rate of 200. Russell has also delivered with the ball, picking up six wickets in six matches. 

Russell has a decent rhythm in this tournament with both the bat and the ball. Besides this, his batting record against RCB at Eden Gardens is outstanding. In five innings, Russell has scored 160 runs at a strike rate of 219.2, while having an average of 53.3. If we take a look at his overall batting record against RCB, then in 14 innings, Rusell has scored 396 runs at a strike rate of 205.2, while having an average of 39.6. These numbers will concern the RCB team management. If Russell gets a chance to bat in this game, then he could be the game-changer for KKR. 

Suyash Sharma

This mystery spinner has not got many chances in this tournament. However, KKR can use him as a trump card in this game. Sharma picked up three wickets for 30 runs in his four overs when he last played against RCB at Eden Gardens. These numbers speak in favour of him being used as a game-changer by KKR against RCB.