The stage is set for a thrilling finale to the group stage of IPL 2024. The marquee clash between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders promises fireworks, even though it holds different stakes for each team. For the Kolkata Knight Riders, who have already secured the top spot and a berth in Qualifier 1, this match offers a chance to experiment and fine-tune their approach before the high-pressure knockout stages. They can test their bench strength or give key players a well-deserved break.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals enter the contest with their backs against the wall. A win will propel them directly into the Qualifier, giving them a crucial second chance in case they falter in the first knockout match. A loss, however, will see them drop to the Eliminator, a single-elimination contest with a higher chance of an early exit. This desperation for a win, coupled with KKR’s potential experimentation, creates a fascinating dynamic for what promises to be a nail-biting encounter.
This contrasting desperation from Rajasthan Royals, coupled with the potential for tactical experimentation from KKR, makes for a truly unpredictable encounter. It’s a clash where anything can happen, a match that could go down in the IPL as a nail-biting spectacle filled with twists and turns.
Rajasthan Royals Preview
The Royals were the surprise package of the season early on, winning 8 of their first 9 matches to sit pretty at the top of the table with 5 games in hand. However, things have looked less peachy since, with four losses on the trot giving them a rude awakening and pulling them back to earth. With their lead being usurped by KKR and SRH hot on their heels for the second Qualifier 1 berth, RR must win their last group match to ensure smooth sailing into the second round.
Despite continued brilliance from locals Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, and to a lesser degree Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kumara Sangakkara’s men continue to miss English keeper-batsman Jos Buttler. Without him, RR just don’t have the same bite, and keep falling just short of success.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Avesh Khan have both been decent, but their performances haven’t been impactful enough to shift things in RR’s favour. Trent Boult has been sharp at times, but not as good as he used to be. Moreover, the lack of big-name, reliable international all-rounders who can turn the tide of matches has been hurting the western-Indian team.
Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI: Sanju Samson (c/wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Avesh Khan, Trent Boult, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Riyan Parag, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Sandeep Sharma, Rovman Powell.
Kolkata Knight Riders Preview
At the tail end of an incredible Group Stage, KKR might just rest some key players and go easy on RR, considering the fact that the alternative involves facing what has at times this season been the cricketing equivalent of a rampaging psychopath in Sunrisers Hyderabad. KKR’s job is done as far as the first round of the IPL is concerned, and they can sit triumphant atop their throne and watch the other teams scramble for the other playoff spots. This also gives them a bit of a buffer before the knockout stage, which will no doubt help their chances along.
KKR will no doubt be patting star all-rounder Sunil Narine on rediscovering his destructive form from a few years ago. The almost-36-year-old West Indian has been talismanic for the Bengalis’ success, while imported English keeper-batsman Phil Salt and local boy Venkatesh Iyer have provided excellent support.
When Narine hasn’t been hitting massive sixes, he has been busy taking wickets. He doesn’t quite top that list, though, with Varun Chakravarthy taking that honour and even young Harshit Rana equalling him. Nevertheless, KKR have plenty to be happy about when it comes to their bowling.
Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted XI: Shreyas Iyer (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Anukul Roy, AM Ghazanfar, Dushmantha Chameera, Harshit Rana.
Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders Head to Head
Rajasthan Royals have won 3 out of the last 5 encounters between these two teams. In the long run, however, the teams are dead even with 14 wins for both sides and one No Result.
Royals vs Knight Riders Weather and Pitch Conditions
There’s a relatively high chance of rain in Guwahati on Sunday, but should the skies relent, the weather will be quite pleasant for a night of cricket. In any case, the winner of the toss should choose to bowl first just in case Duckworth-Lewis rears its ugly head. Moreover, there’s always the risk of dew the later a match goes into the night. The outfield could also remain wet after short showers, which would also be an issue for the fielding team.
There has only been one match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium so far, and it was the relatively low-scoring war of attrition between RR and Punjab Kings. If that match was anything of a sign, batsmen might want to tread lightly. There’s plenty of movement for both fast and slow bowlers, and the ball not coming on to the bat nicely is an ever-present nightmare.
Given these factors, we expect scores to hover around the 150-160 mark.
RR vs KKR Betting Odds
Rajasthan Royals 2.031 – Draw 25 – 1.827 KKR
Betting Tip: Rajasthan vs Kolkata Winning Prediction
There’s barely a hair to split these two teams, but we are going to take the side of Rajasthan Royals for good measure as they will be going into the match hungrier than KKR. The Royals have been through hell since winning the very first edition of the IPL, being banned for two years and finishing many seasons at the bottom of the table. They have rarely gotten such an opportunity, and will likely be trying their hardest to make sure they get to the Playoffs with some breathing room.
KKR will be no pushovers though. They will feel like they have been robbed of a point in their latest washout against Gujarat Titans, and will look to finish with a winning flourish even if they rest some key members. Given the form of their players, they will no doubt put up a hard fight regardless of their lineup. At the end of the day, though, we believe Rajasthan will triumph, especially since they have home advantage.