| KKR vs PBKS | |
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MATCH INFO |
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MATCH :
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KKR vs PBKS
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COMPETITION :
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IPL
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| DATE: |
26-04-2024
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TIME:
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07.30 PM IST (UTC +5:30)
06.00 PM UAE
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STADIUM
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Rajiv Gandhi International
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The upcoming match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) seems poised for an intriguing clash, given the vastly differing trajectories of the two teams in the current IPL season.
KKR has been riding high on the back of a solid performance, particularly from their top-order batsmen, Sunil Narine and Phil Salt, who have been in exceptional form with their explosive batting. However, the absence of Nitish Rana due to injury is a setback for them, both in terms of batting depth and spin bowling options. Captain Shreyas Iyer's form will also be a concern for KKR, as they look to maintain their momentum in the tournament.
On the other hand, PBKS has struggled to find consistency, especially in their top-order batting, with established names like Liam Livingstone and Jonny Bairstow failing to fire consistently. Instead, the onus has fallen on the uncapped duo of Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh to deliver with the bat, showcasing their power-hitting abilities.
The battle between KKR's Sunil Narine and the PBKS duo of Ashutosh and Shashank will be a key subplot to watch out for in the match. While Narine has been effective with his variations, he did face some punishment in the previous game, which might inspire the PBKS batsmen to take on his bowling.
However, PBKS's major concern lies in the form of Mitchell Starc, who has struggled to make an impact with the ball this season, posing a significant challenge for their bowling unit. In contrast, uncapped Indian pacers like Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora have shown promise but have also been prone to getting hit at times.
Overall, it sets the stage for an exciting encounter between two teams with contrasting fortunes in the tournament so far, where KKR will look to consolidate their position near the top of the table, while PBKS will aim to turn their fortunes around with a much-needed win.