Kolkata Knight Riders take on Punjab Kings in the 42 match of IPL 2024 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday. KKR beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by one run in their last outing and are currently second in the standings with 10 points from seven games after a win and two losses. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, find themselves in ninth spot with four points after claiming two wins and suffering six losses. Ahead of KKR’s clash with PBKS in Kolkata, let’s have a look at the predicted XIs of both sides for this fixture.
KKR Predicted XI
Phil Salt
Englishman Phil Salt has been in spectacular form for KKR this season and has provided them with blitzkrieg starts for the team as an opener. A destructive batter who will be key to giving KKR a quick start, Salt has made 249 runs in eight IPL 2024 games with an average of 41.50 and a strike rate of 169.39.
Sunil Narine
After a few lean IPL seasons with the bat, Sunil Narine has looked in splendid touch as a batter. He’s scored a fifty as well as a ton and is averaging 40.86 with a strike rate of 176.54 in IPL 2024. He’s also claimed nine wickets in seven games and is one of KKR’s go-to players this season.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi has looked good whenever he’s been out there in the middle. In six games in IPL 2024, Angkrish has scored 118 runs at a strike rate of 161.64 and also has a fifty to his name. He will be eager to make an impact once again and is a player to keep an eye on.
Shreyas Iyer
KKR captain Shreyas Iyer has had a topsy-turvy season but remains a crucial player for the team in the middle order. He’s struck a fifty this season and has made three half-centuries against PBKS in the past.
Venkatesh Iyer
Even though he’s had limited time with the bat in the middle, Venkatesh Iyer has still managed to make a fifty this season. Capable of chipping in with the ball in hand as well, Venkatesh will be keen to have some sort of an impact with the ball or bat against PBKS.
Andre Russell
A matchwinner with both bat and ball, Andre Russell has looked in great nick having led KKR to multiple wins already this season. He’s scored 155 runs in seven games at an average of 51.67 and a sensational strike rate of 184.52. Russell has also taken nine wickets at an average of 14.89, making him one of KKR’s most important players.
Rinku Singh
While Rinku Singh hasn’t set this IPL season alight like he has done in the past, the hard-hitting left-hander has managed to produce a few impactful cameos for the team. He has made his runs at a strike rate of 159.70 and will have a role to play as a finisher against PBKS.
Ramandeep Singh
All-rounder Ramandeep Singh has done well in his limited time at the crease. He’s scored his runs at a strike rate of 182.93 and is capable of chipping in with the ball, making him important for the balance of the team.
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc hasn’t been at his best in IPL 2024 and has conceded quite a few runs in seven games so far. His six wickets have come at a price but the fact that he’s bowled in pressure circumstances like the powerplay and death overs cannot be overlooked. He will be hoping to perform to the best of his ability against PBKS.
Varun Chakravarthy
Leg spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been among the wickets in IPL 2024 having claimed eight scalps so far. He’s performed well against PBKS in the past and will back himself to get the better of their batters come Friday.
Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana seems to be enjoying his best IPL season yet with KKR having taken nine wickets in six games in the ongoing campaign. He’s managed to take wickets in crucial moments for the two-time IPL champions and is averaging 20.56 in IPL 2024.
Impact Sub
Suyash Sharma
PBKS Predicted XI
Sam Curran
Sam Curran has taken on plenty of responsibilities for PBKS this season. Handed captaincy duties in the absence of the injured Shikhar Dhawan, Sam Curran has scored 152 runs this season, including one fifty. He’s also accounted for 11 scalps and is crucial to the PBKS lineup.
Prabhsimran Singh
Prabhsimran Singh will be hoping to get amongst the runs soon and will need to stand up and be counted if PBKS want to climb up the standings. A player who tends to score his runs quickly, Prabhsimran is batting at a strike rate of 143.93 and will be hoping to produce an innings of substance against KKR.
Rilee Rossouw
Although Rilee Rossouw hasn’t put his best foot forward in IPL 2024 yet, the South African deserves another chance to showcase his ability. A star in T20s, Rossouw has scored more than 8000 runs in the format and boasts a strike rate of 143.02.
Liam Livingstone
With 111 runs and three wickets in six IPL 2024 matches, Liam Livingstone has had a somewhat decent season so far. However, the Englishman is capable of doing much better and will be hoping to return to his best against KKR.
Shashank Singh
Shashank Singh has been a revelation with PBKS this season. Shashank has remained not out in four of the eight matches he’s played having made 195 runs with an average of 48.75 and a strike rate of 168.10. His best of 61 not out against Gujarat Titans helped PBKS to a memorable win in IPL 2024.
Jitesh Sharma
Wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma will be desperate to get runs quickly after enduring an underwhelming campaign so far. However, he is capable of taking any bowling attack to the cleaners and boasts a strike rate of 151.47 in his IPL career.
Ashutosh Sharma
A revelation if there ever was one, Ashutosh Sharma has been one of the finds of IPL 2024. An explosive batter, Ashutosh has played numerous important knocks for PBKS this season and has made 159 runs, including a fifty. He’s averaging almost 40 this season and has an impressive strike rate of 189.29.
Harpreet Brar
Harpreet Brar has taken four wickets in IPL 2024 and has bowled well with a relatively decent economy of 7.41. Capable of contributing with a few runs too, Harpreet Brar has a strike rate of 141.46 and will be looking to leave his mark against KKR.
Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada’s experience is vital to the PBKS bowling unit and he will need to be at his best against KKR to help his team have a chance of a win. He’s taken over 100 IPL wickets and has taken 10 scalps in IPL 2024.
Harshal Patel
The leading wicket-taker for PBKS this season, Harshal Patel has accounted for 13 scalps in eight matches in the ongoing campaign. He’s averaging 21.38 in IPL 2024 but will be looking to improve his economy, which is a bit on the higher side.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh has done relatively well in IPL 2024 and has claimed 10 scalps in eight matches. He’s averaging 25.70 and has been bowling when the pressure is on the bowlers, making him an integral member of the PBKS bowling unit.
Impact Sub
Rahul Chahar
