It was Gujarat Titans (GT) who were on the struggling end the last time these two teams met. The game was washed out without giving the low-hanging Titans a chance to redeem themselves, while Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) quietly locked in a top-spot finish. It’s the opposite now, with Gujarat sitting pretty at the top and KKR gasping for air.
Although KKR have only won one of the three times both sides clashed, they did manage to chip away with a win the last time they played in Ahmedabad. And yes, these patterns do not always mean much, but KKR have religiously stuck to a loss-followed-by-a-win rhythm this season. If the trend stays true, they’re due for a win in this game.
And they will need one badly. Nearly half of the league has passed, and they do not have much room left for dilly-dallying. Their silver lining is that their NRR hasn’t plunged into an ungodly territory yet. They are still better than all teams bar the table-toppers, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, in terms of NRR. So, a couple of points from this game could shoot them to the third position, no questions asked.
Team Overview:
Gujarat’s top three batters average nearly 50, which is more than any other team this season. It’s been the driving force behind their invincibility. The top order has been so good that Shubman Gill, averaging 35.83 at a strike rate of 149.30, is technically their weakest link. And though Gill is known for his ability to bounce back in the face of adversity, his numbers in Ahmedabad haven’t been too pretty. In his last two innings at GT’s home venue, he hasn’t even broken into double figures. He’ll be looking to end this unwanted slump in this game and get back to the quick-fire starts his team and fans have come to expect.
It has largely been KKR’s bowlers who have kept them afloat this season. The batters, for the most part, haven’t even tried to make a difference. Their failure to chase down 111 against Punjab Kings in the last game says more than enough. Ajinkya Rahane, with 261 runs in seven games, is their best batter, and the gap between him and the next KKR entry is exceedingly wide. The next KKR name on the top-scorer’s chart this year is Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and he doesn’t even crack the top 30.
Head-to-Head Matches:
Gujarat and Kolkata have faced off only three times, and KKR have managed just one win from those.
Weather and Pitch Report:
Kolkata at this time of year is essentially a sauna in disguise; it’s hot and very humid. In the three games played here so far, teams have gone for at least 8 runs an over. This means it’s not exactly a flat belter, but batters do get some assistance off the pitch. The good news, however, is that dew has been inconsistent, so defending sides do not have much to panic about.
Where to Watch:
India: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar
UK: Sky Sports, SkyGo
USA: Willow TV
Australia: Kayo TV, FoxTel Go
Bangladesh: T Sports, Toffee app
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
Afghanistan: ATN
South Africa: SuperSport
Sri Lanka: Dialog
MENA: Cricbuzz
