Kolkata look to continue their winning run while Punjab desperate for a turnaround
Bottom-placed Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) face fourth-placed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 24th match of the IPL. The KL Rahul-led side have suffered five losses in their six games, including four in a row in their last four games. KKR have been better and have won three out of five games and will be looking to surge ahead.
There is very little that has gone KXIP’s way in the last few games. Their batting seems to be top-heavy as usual. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have shared bulk of the batting workload. Nicholas Pooran’s form has been the only positive in the last couple of games. The bowling hasn’t delivered either. Thus, KXIP are less favorable to win this game against KKR and their odds of winning are 2.05.
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The Dinesh Karthik-led side have been good and will consider themselves lucky as they managed to pull off a remarkable win in their last game against CSK as they defended 167 from a precarious position. The two-time IPL champions boast a strong batting line-up and their bowling looks impressive as well. Hence, with a settled side, KKR will be favourites to win this game and the odds of winning are placed at 1.71.
Overall record highly in favour of Kolkata Knight Riders
As far as the overall head to head record is concerned, KKR are miles ahead. In 25 matches that KXIP and KKR have played, KKR have won 17 games and KXIP have won just 8. Moreover, KKR have won all their last three encounters against KXIP.
TIP: Kolkata Knight Riders have some big six-hitters and have odds of 1.95 to hit a more sixes than Rajasthan Royals.
This season, KXIP have been poor and are reeling at the bottom of the table. They are on a four-game losing streak at the moment and will need to pull off something special to upstage KKR who are currently placed fourth on the points table with six points.
Keep an eye on…
Andre Russell: The big Jamaican all-rounder hasn’t come to the party with the bat yet this season. He has scored a mere 50 runs in four innings. But he has been delivering with the ball and has been excellent at the death. He has an economy of 8.00 and has picked up five wickets. Don’t rule out an all-round show from Russell.
Mayank Agarwal: The Karnataka lad has been in superb form this season and he is hitting the ball sweetly. Agarwal has amassed 281 runs and has a strike-rate of 162.42 this season. Thus, he could be the one to watch out for. He hasn’t got big runs in the last 2-3 games and this might just be the game where he steps up again.
RECOMMENDED BET: KKR are looking a lot more balanced than KXIP and have odds of 1.71 to record a win.