IPL 2024 – Match 42: KKR vs PBKS Match Preview, Playing XI, Players to Watch, Key Stats

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Original Content: IPL 2024 – Match 42: KKR vs PBKS Match Preview, Playing XI, Players to Watch, Key Stats

The 42nd game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 will have Kolkata Knight Riders hosting the Punjab Kings at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 25th of April, Thursday.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings have locked horns for 32 matches in the IPL. In these 32 games, Kolkata have won 21 while Punjab has just 11 wins to show.

Shikhar Dhawan has now recovered from his injury which suggests he may play the upcoming match against Kolkata, which means Sam Curran will again be the deputy skipper of Punjab Kings.

Their middle-order muddle is letting them down until now. Punjab’s middle order has underperformed until now, and if they have to compete against Kolkata in their home den, their batting needs to fire.

Kolkata is amongst the most balanced squads in the league; their batting has often scored huge totals in such a way that has demotivated the opposition.

One area where they can improve is their middle overs and death overs bowling. Their spinners have leaked runs in the middle phase which they would want to change in this encounter.

Match Details:

• Date: 26 April 2024
• Time: 7:30 PM IST
• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

KKR vs PBKS Probable Playing XI:

Kolkata Knight Riders Probable Playing XI

Sunil Narine, Phil Salt (WK), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora/Suyash Sharma

Impact Player: Venkatesh Iyer

Punjab Kings Probable Playing 11

Shikhar Dhawan (C), Jonny Bairstow/Rilee Rossouw, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada

Impact Player: Arshdeep Singh

Key Batters to Watch for KKR vs PBKS:

Prabhsimran Singh

After having a breakthrough season last time, Singh has massively underachieved considering the potential he possesses. Teams are now well-prepared to counter his onslaught, which means he will have to add a new dimension to his gameplay.

Jitesh Sharma

One of the league’s best middle-order players, courtesy of his excellent gameplay against spinners. Jitesh is a spin hitter who thrives against leg spin, which makes him a direct counter to the troika of Kolkata’s three spinners.

Key Bowlers to Watch for KKR vs PBKS:

Kagiso Rabada

Kolkata’s batting, except Rinku Singh and Phil Salt, has some serious issues against back-of-length fast bowling, and Rabada’s natural length too revolves in the same direction. His skill set will make Kolkata’s middle order vulnerable against him.

Harshit Rana

There is a lot of potential in Harshit Rana to work with; he is capable of swinging the new ball, bowls with the old ball, slower ones, and cutters. All this makes him a lethal asset which any side craves.