KKR eye good-looking win over RR to stay forward in play-off race

Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders would try for a good-looking win over struggling Rajasthan Royals of their final round-robin recreation to remain forward within the IPL play-offs race right here on Thursday.
With 12 factors from 13 matches, KKR are at present sitting on the fourth place within the pecking order, simply forward of defending champions Mumbai Indians on web run-rate.
MI too have 12 factors from 13 video games and nonetheless have a match to play in opposition to bottom-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday.
If each KKR and MI win their final matches, then it would boil right down to web run charge and that’s the place the Eoin Morgan-led aspect (0.294) would have an edge because it at present enjoys a optimistic run charge in comparison with the Mumbai outfit (-0.048).
KKR had a combined bag within the second leg of the match thus far, profitable 4 and shedding two video games.
While KKR began the second part with back-to-back wins over Royal Challengers Bangalore and MI earlier than struggling a defeat to Chennai Super Kings, they got here again to beat desk toppers Delhi Capitals.

“Where is Russell? Where is Lockie?”… Well they’re on the coaching floor, firing in all cylinders 😎💥 @Russell12A #LockieFerguson #KKR #AmiKKR #KorboLorboJeetbo #আমিKKR #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/oK9VkA4poJ
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 6, 2021
A defeat in opposition to Punjab Kings adopted earlier than they outplayed SRH by six wickets to maintain their nostril forward within the race for the ultimate play-offs spot.
KKR have been spectacular within the second half and even their two defeats had been slim, the place they misplaced within the final over.
In the batting division, Venkatesh Iyer has been the star performer within the second leg for KKR, whereas Rahul Tripathi too has been spectacular this season.
Young Shubman Gill scored a advantageous half-century in KKR’s final match, which holds good for the group. Nitish Rana, up within the batting order, has additionally finished nicely however the type of skipper Morgan stays a trigger for concern.

A take a look at the Points Table after Match 51 of the #VIVOIPL 👇 #RRvMI pic.twitter.com/VwyvG4FKfP
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 5, 2021
The induction of star Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan within the final match for the primary time within the second leg, has given a brand new dimension to the aspect.
In bowling, thriller spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been the group’s go-to man whereas Sunil Narine too has been among the many wickets.
In the absence of Andre Russell and Lockie Ferguson, who missed a number of video games following accidents, Tim Southee and Shivam Mavi are the brand new tempo bowling pair for KKR.
Pacer Prasidh Krishna did nicely to snap 4 wickets within the matches that he had performed, earlier than being dropped for conceding 22 runs within the nineteenth over, in opposition to CSK.
RR are out of the race, languishing on the seventh spot within the eight-team standings with 10 factors from 13 video games.
And come Thursday, RR would look to dent KKR’s hopes and finish their marketing campaign on a optimistic notice.
RR have been hit onerous by the type of their Indian batsmen. Barring Yashahvi Jaiswal and, to some extent, skipper Sanju Samson, the group’s Indian batsmen lacked intent.
With Mustafizur Rahaman as their most skilled abroad signing and younger Chetan Sakariya within the ranks, RR’s bowling is a bit skinny on expertise.
Teams:
Kolkata Knight Riders: Eoin Morgan (captain), Dinesh Karthik, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Karun Nair, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathy, Shubman Gill, Harbhajan Singh, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Pawan Negi, M Prasidh Krishna, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Dube, Tim Southee, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russel, Ben Cutting, Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Sheldon Jackson, Tim Seifert.
Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (captain), Liam Livingstone, Evin Lewis, David Miller, Chris Morris, Oshane Thomas, Mustafizur Rahaman, Tabraiz Shamsi, Glenn Phillips, Chetan Sakariya, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Akash Singh, Anuj Rawat, KC Cariappa, Yashashvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Kartik Tyagi, Mayank Markande, Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldip Yadav, Mahipal Lomror.