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PBKS aim to raise their game against the high-flying KKR team. Dream11 Predictions, Fantasy Tips, Teams, Pitch Report, Captain & Vice-Captain Picks | IPL 2024
In IPL 2024, Punjab Kings find themselves in a familiar position, struggling with inconsistencies and languishing in the bottom half of the table. With only two wins from eight games, they are on the brink of elimination. Despite their challenging position, Punjab Kings have shown resilience, staying competitive in most matches but falling short at crucial moments. Their upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens presents an opportunity to turn their season around.
Kolkata Knight Riders have been dominant at home, winning three out of four games at the Eden Gardens. Their only loss at this venue was against Rajasthan Royals, where Jos Buttler played an exceptional innings. The Eden Gardens has witnessed high-scoring matches, and KKR’s batsmen, especially Sunil Narine and Phil Salt, have capitalized on the favorable conditions. The recent performances of Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ramandeep Singh have provided KKR’s middle order, including Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell, with more flexibility and confidence to play their natural game.
Punjab Kings will be concerned about the form of their top-order batsmen, as their middle-order, led by Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, has been shouldering much of the batting responsibility. Facing a strong KKR bowling attack, PBKS will require a collective effort from their batsmen, especially considering the favorable batting conditions at the venue. While their bowling unit has been more consistent compared to their batting, there is still room for improvement.
KKR’s bowling unit has shown versatility, not relying heavily on spin due to the pitch conditions. Sunil Narine has maintained his economical bowling, and Varun Chakravarthy has had a solid season. Harshit Rana has been a standout performer, excelling with both the new ball and in the death overs. Andre Russell has also been impactful, showing improved fitness and pace compared to previous seasons.
Both Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders have balanced teams on paper, but KKR’s recent form gives them a slight advantage. This sets the stage for an exciting match between two entertaining teams.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to face off against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 42nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). The match will take place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 26th at 7:30 PM IST.
As the game approaches, here’s a preview of the Dream11 predictions, fantasy tips, pitch report, top player picks, and the best-predicted XIs for the fantasy contests of this thrilling match.
KKR vs PBKS Head-to-head Stats
The Kolkata Knight Riders and the Punjab Kings have a history of 32 games between them, with KKR leading with 21 wins compared to PBKS’s 11 victories.
In their previous encounter during IPL 2023 at the Eden Gardens, Punjab batted first and set a target of 179 runs in 20 overs, with Shikhar Dhawan top-scoring with 57 off 47 balls.
KKR’s chase was led by Nitish Rana and Andre Russell, supported by a brief contribution from Rinku Singh. Kolkata successfully chased down the target in the final over, losing only five wickets in the process.
KKR will aim to secure a victory to maintain their position at the top of the table, while PBKS will be eager to improve their campaign with a win in this match.
| Stats | Matches | Kolkata Knight Riders Won | Punjab Kings Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 32 | 21 | 11 | 0 |
| At Eden Gardens | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Last Five Matches | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
KKR vs PBKS Pitch Report
The wicket at Eden Gardens has been favorable for batting, with six instances of teams scoring 200-plus totals in the four matches played there. This suggests that batsmen will find the conditions to their liking, and we can anticipate another high-scoring contest.
Eden Gardens Ground Stats (IPL 2024)
In the four matches played at Eden Gardens, teams batting first have won two matches, while teams batting second have also won two matches.
The average first innings total at the venue has been 203, which is also the average second innings total. The highest total recorded at Eden Gardens is 224/8 by Rajasthan Royals against Kolkata Knight Riders, while the lowest total is 161/7 by Lucknow Super Giants against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Fantasy value from the pitch report
- The pitch at Eden Gardens is expected to favor the batsmen, with teams crossing the 200-run mark in 75% of the four games played there. Thus, selecting a batting-heavy fantasy XI would be wise for this match.
- As for bowlers, focusing on death-over specialists could be rewarding given the high-scoring nature of the venue.
KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Cricket Tips
Kolkata Knight Riders Heavy Fantasy XI
- Sunil Narine has been a standout performer for KKR in IPL 2024, excelling with both bat and ball, making him a must-pick for fantasy teams. Additionally, Phil Salt and Shreyas Iyer have shown good form and could be valuable picks as well.
- In the bowling department, Harshit Rana has been impressive and is a safe choice. Varun Chakravarthy, known for his variations, could also be a good fantasy pick.
Punjab Kings Heavy Fantasy XI
- Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma have been key performers with the bat for PBKS in IPL 2024, making them safe picks for fantasy teams. Liam Livingstone, despite not hitting top form yet, could also be a valuable pick.
- In the bowling department, Kagiso Rabada has been a consistent wicket-taker and should be a top choice. Harshal Patel and Arshdeep Singh, who have also been among the wickets, could be crucial picks for fantasy contests.
KKR vs PBKS Winner Prediction
Kolkata Knight Riders have been in exceptional form in the tournament, displaying a balanced team performance. The Punjab Kings will face a tough challenge in trying to outplay the formidable home team.
KKR vs PBKS Top Player Picks
Sunil Narine (KKR)
In IPL 2024, the West Indian all-rounder has been in decent form, scoring 286 runs and taking 9 wickets in 7 matches. He has been scoring quickly at the top of the order and has been economical with the ball in the middle overs. This makes him a high-priority choice for fantasy contests.
Phil Salt (KKR)
In IPL 2024, the English opener has scored 249 runs in 7 matches and has looked in good form with the bat. Phil Salt has a good track record at the venue and will be an important pick for fantasy contests in the upcoming match.
Shashank Singh (PBKS)
In IPL 2024, the Indian middle-order batter has scored 195 runs in 8 matches and has been the backbone of the PBKS batting lineup. Shashank Singh has displayed great maturity and has adapted well to various situations in most matches. Given the inconsistent performance of the top-order, Shashank is an essential pick for fantasy contests.
Liam Livingstone (PBKS)
In IPL 2024, the English all-rounder has scored 111 runs in 6 matches and has not been in the best batting form. However, Liam Livingstone is known as a match-winner who can contribute with both bat and ball. The wicket at the Eden Gardens might suit his batting style, and he could potentially regain his form in the upcoming game.
KKR vs PBKS Differential Picks
Andre Russell (KKR)
In IPL 2024, the Jamaican all-rounder has scored 155 runs and taken 9 wickets in 7 matches, performing decently. Andre Russell has scored his runs at a strike rate of 184.52 and has bowled efficiently in the death overs. Russell has a liking for playing at the Eden Gardens and has delivered many match-winning performances there. Therefore, he could be a differential choice for the fantasy contests.
Ashutosh Sharma (PBKS)
In IPL 2024, the young Indian lower-order batter has scored 159 runs in 5 innings and has emerged as one of the best finds of the tournament. Ashutosh Sharma has displayed remarkable nerve and composure, particularly while chasing big targets. He possesses an aggressive intent that can change the course of a match. However, due to his position in the batting order, which is a bit too deep, he is considered a differential pick for the fantasy contests.
KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Expert Advice
Given the nature of the wicket and the strengths of both teams, a 1-2-4-4 or a 1-3-4-3 combination could be advantageous for fantasy contests.
KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Team for Head-to-Head/Small Leagues
Wicketkeeper: Phil Salt , Jitesh Sharma
Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh
All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Sam Curran
Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Varun Chakravarthy, H Patel, Harshit Rana
Captain: Sunil Narine
Vice-captain: Sam Curran
Kolkata Knight Riders: 6 Players; Punjab Kings: 5 Players
KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Team for Head-to-Head/Small Leagues ipl
KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Team for Winner Takes All/Grand Leagues
Wicketkeepers: Phil Salt , P Singh
Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, Rinku Singh
All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Sam Curran
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Kagiso Rabada
Captain: Shashank Singh
Vice-captain: Sunil Narine
Kolkata Knight Riders: 5 Players; Punjab Kings: 6 Players
