What is The Cricket Match Today? Expected Changes, Winner Prediction
RR and KKR will battle it out tonight [Source: IPLT20.com]
Today, cricket fans across the globe will be served with a blockbuster, as Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Rajasthan Royals in their own backyard. With T20 superstars like Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine set to feature in this game, we anticipate a cliffhanger at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata.
Both teams have blown hot and cold in the IPL 2023, winning five of their eleven group-stage games. While KKR occupy the sixth position, RR are placed just above them owing to their superior net run rate.
Overall, both teams have clashed 26 times, with KKR having the upper hand over RR by a 14-12 margin. However, this will be the first game between these two teams in the IPL this season.
What is the venue of the KKR vs RR game?
The historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host this high-octane face-off between two formidable outfits. The venue holds a special place in the hearts of a billion Indian cricket fans, thanks to its rich legacy and priceless contributions to Indian cricket over the years.
What are the expected changes in the playing XI of KKR vs RR?
KKR, who were struggling to get a solid start in the power play, got a major boost as the famed English opener recovered from his injury and made his comeback into the playing XI in their last game against Punjab Kings. Furthermore, as they emerged victorious, we expect the two-time champions to field the same XI for this fixture.
KKR Probable Twelve (Including impact player): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Jason Roy, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Suyash Sharma
Substitutes: Anukul Roy, Lockie Ferguson, N Jagadeesan, Kulwant Khejroliya
What are the expected changes in the playing XI of RR vs KKR?
On the contrary, Rajasthan Royals are still searching for answers to their problematic bowling department, which has suffered a lot of damage following Trent Boult's mid-season injury.
In the last game against SRH, they brought Obed McCoy into the playing XI but used him to deliver only a single over. Meanwhile, Murugan Ashwin and Kuldip Yadav had forgettable games, which is why they might be replaced by Jason Holder and Kuldeep Sen, respectively. If this happens, Joe Root will make way for Devdutt Padikkal.
RR Probable Twelve (Including impact player): Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (C/WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Sharma, Kuldeep Sen, Obed McCoy (If Boult is fit, he will replace McCoy), Yuzvendra Chahal
Substitutes: Adam Zampa, Murugan Ashwin, Kuldip Yadav, Riyan Parag
Winner Prediction
The inconsistency of their first-choice batters and Trent Boult's untimely injury has significantly hampered the Royals' IPL 2023 campaign. So, they will be dependent on individual brilliance to defeat KKR, who have peaked at the right time and found a settled playing XI.
So, considering the recent forms of both teams, we reckon KKR will emerge triumphant in this match.
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