RR vs KKR Dream11 Team, Probable Playing XI, Toss, Pitch and Match Preview: Dwindling Royals look to overcome their challenges as they approach the KKR test in Mumbai.
The Big Picture
Both sides have won just one game so far this season. RR have been hammered by their opponents, whereas KKR have been slightly better in terms of resistance. Both teams play their last match in Mumbai and this is their last chance to flex the batting muscles in favourable conditions. The two sides have had their moments of virtuosity but have failed to capitalise on those. Neither of the sides can afford to lose on Saturday. Looking at the Head-to-head stats, out of the 23 matches played KKR have won 12, whereas RR have won 10. However, after making a comeback in the IPL, RR have just won 1 match out of the 7 matches they have played against KKR.
Rajasthan Royals
Started with Ben Stokes injury, followed by Liam Livingstone’s decision to return home and now rubbing salt to the wound Jofra Archer has been ruled out of IPL 2021. Hoping there are no more dropouts from the squad, RR need to fix their opening slot, they might be on a verge of loosing patients on Manan Vohra. Yashasvi Jaiswal is another talented youngster who they may look at. Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler need to step up and bat responsibly. Statshuman understands that RR is trying to rope in Rassie van der Dussen to strengthen their middle order.
Kolkata Knight Riders
The KKR middle order including skipper Morgan needs to stand up and take responsibility. Shubman Gill has yet to fire this season, KKR can try an old formula of opening with Sunil Narine and make the most out of the powerplay overs. Since 2018 when Sunil Narine has opened the innings the average power play score for KKR has been 56 for the loss of 1 wicket. RR anyways have not included an off spinner so far this season. Last season KKR picked up only 13 wickets in the powerplay. 7 out of these 13 wickets were claimed against RR.
Pitch Conditions and Toss
The Mumbai wicket as we have seen is a batting delta, 5 out of the 8 matches have been won by the chasing side. KKR nearly chased down a mammoth score of 220 runs against Chennai, recovering from 31 for 5. Dew has been playing a vital role and that’s the main reason side winning the toss are electing to field. I expect no changes in that decision, side winning the toss will again opt to field. 210 looks to be a par score.
Probable Playing XI
Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson © (wk), Shivam Dube, David Miller, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Jaydev Unadkat, Chetan Sakariya and Mustafizur Rahman/Andrew Tye
Kolkata Knight Riders: Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Sunil Narine, Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik, Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Kamlesh Nagarkoti/Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthi and Prasidh Krishna
Match Details
Match no 18 of the Indian Premier League 2021
Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders
Time & Date: 24th April 2021, Saturday 7:30 PM IST
Pivotal Players
Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler and Chris Morris
Kolkata Knight Riders: Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan and Andre Russell
Clean Hitters
Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson, Chris Morris and Rahul Tewatia
Kolkata Knight Riders: Andre Russell, Pat Cummins and Dinesh Karthik
Death Over Bowlers
Rajasthan Royals: Chris Morris, Chetan Sakariya and Jaydev Unadkat
Kolkata Knight Riders: Andre Russell, Pat Cummins and Prasidh Krishna
Most Runs in IPL 2021
Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (145) and Shivam Dube (88)
Kolkata Knight Riders: Nitish Rana (164) and Andre Russell (99)
RR vs KKR Dreeam11 Wicketkeepers
I have selected Sanju Samson over Jos Buttler, as Samson looks in a better touch currently. As Buttler currently seems to be struggling a bit. Incase if KKR are chasing I would replace Samson with Dinesh Karthik for the form he showed in the last match against CSK.
RR vs KKR Dream11 Batsmen
As we all anticipate a high scoring game, I have invested heavily in the batting section. Despite of a poor run this season; Eoin Morgan is my first-choice batsman. The KKR skipper has scored 243 runs in 5 innings against RR, averaging 81 and scoring at a strike rate of 157.79. Nitish Rana is my second choice, Rana has been in a great form and has been timing the ball well. This wicket will suit Rana’s style of play. Dacid Miller and Rahul Tripathi are the other two batsmen in my squad who have already played a responsible knock for their sides.
RR vs KKR Dream11 All Rounders
Chris Morris and Andre Russell are obvious choices for me. Both these batsmen bat freely and can score big hits at will. The two all rounders bowl during the death overs as well. This increases the chance of picking wickets. Sunil Narine is the third all-rounder in my side, I have selected him over Tewatia and Dube considering Narine’s ability to pick up wickets in middle overs. Narine will play a key role considering the RR batting line up has 4 left-handed batsmen.
RR vs KKR Dream11 Bowlers
Pat Cummins is my first-choice bowler. Not only he brings in international experience, but we saw he can be a handy lower order batsman. Cummins too bowls during death overs where his chances of picking up wickets are high. Chetan Sakariya is a similar type of bowler who comes in as a specialist bowler during death overs. Varun Chakravarthi is my third bowler. Chakravarthi’s variation can be clinical for KKR especially during the middle overs. The only thing that worries that the RR left handers might take him for some runs. In case Andrew Tye is included in the Playing XI I will replace Chakravarthi with Tye.
RR vs KKR Dream11 Captain & Vice-Captain
Captain: Eoin Morgan and Andre Russell
Vice-Captain: Nitish Rana and Sunil Narine
Fantasy League Disclaimer
All our selections are based on in-depth and astute analysis of the players partaking in the match, pitch report and a perusal of other reasoning. Please incorporate a slew of factors while crafting your own side with this article serving as a guide to the match and players. Pictures used in this post are the courtesy of the respective official Instagram handles of teams and players and are for representational purposes.