IPL 2024, KKR vs RR -  Salt-Starc Dominance To Continue?- 3 Match-Winners For KKR

Phil Salt and Mitchell Starc could be the match-winners for KKR [iplt20.com]

The Kolkata Knight Riders will play the Rajasthan Royals in the 31st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). This match will take place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 16th at 7:30 PM IST. 

KKR is in great form. They have won four of their five games and are currently in second place in the points table. They will be looking to maintain their momentum and win this game to solidify their position in the top half of the table. 

However, the assignment for the Knights will be challenging as they will be facing the current table toppers, the Rajasthan Royals. Like the Knights, the Royals have also played brilliant cricket in the tournament. They, too, have lost only one game and will be looking to maintain their momentum and position at the top of the table. With two valuable points at stake, it promises to be an exciting clash between the two table-toppers. 

Eden Gardens Ground Stats (IPL 2024)

The Eden Gardens pitch looked like a batting-friendly one in the first match. Both teams went past the 200 mark in that game. However, in the previous match, the pitch looked slow in the first innings. But it was a day game, and the Knights-Royals match will be a night match. Under the lights, one can expect that wicket to remain good for batting throughout the game. The dew factor might play a significant part in the match, making life difficult for the bowlers in the second innings. 

Three Match-winners for Kolkata Knight Riders

Shreyas Iyer

The KKR skipper is having a hot and cold season in IPL 2024. Shreyas Iyer's consistency has been lacking, and even in the games where he has got starts, Iyer has not looked at ease. However, his numbers against RR are pretty impressive, and that will give him the confidence to regain his form in this game. 

Iyer has played ten innings against RR in the IPL and has scored 355 runs in them. He has an average of 35.50 and a strike rate 133 against them. These numbers would be encouraging for both Iyer and the KKR management. They will hope that he continues his excellent track record against RR and emerges as their match-winner in the game. 

Phil Salt

This is the first match for the English batter against the Rajasthan Royals. Salt has been inconsistent with his run-scoring in the tournament. However, he has enjoyed batting at the Eden Gardens, and his numbers at the venue have been excellent so far. 

Phil Salt has batted in a couple of innings here and has scored 143 runs in them at a strike rate of 164.40 while being dismissed only once. Even in the last game against LSG, Salt played an impactful knock of 89 runs from 47 balls. He will be looking to maintain his momentum with the bat and play another match-winning knock for his team. 

Mitchell Starc

The Australian speedster had a very average start to the tournament. However, as he is settling in, Starc is regaining his rhythm. Mitchell Starc bowled a brilliant spell in the last game against LSG, picking up three wickets and conceding only 28 runs in his four overs. His numbers against RR are also excellent. Starc has played four matches against RR in the IPL and picked up six wickets. His economy against them has been an impressive 7.07 while maintaining an average and a strike rate of 17.70 and 15, respectively. The rhythm of Starc and his previous record against the opponents makes him a potential match-winner for KKR.