KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will entertain Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Eden Gardens on Friday evening. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 07:30 PM (IST). KKR have been in impressive form, winning five out of seven games and currently occupying the second spot on the points table. In contrast, PBKS find themselves near the bottom, having secured only two victories in eight matches.
The last two seasons for KKR fell short of the intended target as the two-time IPL champions finished 7th during the IPL 2022 and IPL 2023 seasons, respectively. However, this season is heading in a completely different and upward trajectory. The reason behind this change in fortunes is the form of key players such as Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, and also the availability of Shreyas Iyer, who missed the entire last season due to injury.
KKR currently sits second on the IPL 2024 table, having won 5 times in 7 previous rounds. They also boast the best net run-rate, which accounts for one game in case of a tie on points. Nevertheless, KKR should have no problem qualifying for the playoffs. The only thing that matters for them is if they can sustain themselves in the top two, which is a significant advantage going into the knockout rounds, as the top two teams get two shots at playing in the final.
This game against Punjab Kings carries significant importance for the Knight Riders, as 3rd-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad and 4th-placed Lucknow Super Giants both have 10 points. So the position on the table can change quickly, and KKR must continue their winning run to control their own destiny.
Regarding form, KKR has won twice in the last three games, with the sole loss coming against Rajasthan Royals.
Punjab Kings, meanwhile, find themselves in deep trouble once again. With just two wins in 8 games, they are second from the bottom and a huge six points behind the top four.
Now, consider this calculation: PBKS need three wins to erase this six-point gap. By then, they will have played 11 games, with only three matches left in the season. Additionally, PBKS need the teams above them to lose most of their games, which is a hypothetical scenario considering many of those games are direct head-to-head encounters, guaranteeing one team will come out with 2 points. So Punjab’s season is on the brink, and another defeat might be the final nail in the coffin of their playoff hopes.
However, Punjab Kings have only themselves to blame. They let some games slip from winning positions, such as the game against Mumbai Indians, which was completely in their hands, but they ended up losing by 9 runs. The story was the same against Sunrisers Hyderabad (2-run defeat) and Rajasthan Royals (3-wicket loss). Things could have been entirely different for Shikhar Dhawan and Co. had they managed to thrive under pressure.
Also Read: KKR vs PBKS Match Prediction
KKR vs PBKS Pitch & Weather Report
Pitch Report: A total of four games have been played at Eden Gardens in IPL 2024 so far, that amounts to 8 innings. Now try to grasp this: 6 times in those 8 innings, teams have crossed the 200-run mark. The only game where that didn’t happen was when Lucknow Super Giants batted first and posted only 161/7 in 20 overs. But that was down to LSG’s batters’ failure, for, KKR chased that target down in just 15.4 overs, while losing just 2 wickets.
That’s enough data to show that this pitch at Eden Gardens is where batters of all shapes and sizes can reign in without any fear. Expect another run-galore.
Weather Report: The weather forecast for Friday in Kolkata predicts nothing out of ordinary. As the maximum temperature is on the higher side, while the humidity level is likely to be more than 40%. So expect excessive heat to trouble the players when they come out to play at the Eden Gardens. In addition, there’s 10% chance of rain happening in this KKR vs PBKS IPL 2024 match.
KKR vs PBKS Head To Head Record
| Matches played | 32 |
| KKR Wins | 21 |
| PBKS Wins | 11 |
| No Result | 00 |
KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction Injury and availability News
Kolkata Knight Riders
- KKR are one of the hottest teams in the League at the moment. They have no reasons whatsoever to flirt with their winning combination ahead of the home encounter against PBKS.
- Nitish Rana remains out of KKR playing 11 due to a finger injury.
- Phil Salt and Sunil Narine will continue to open the batting for KKR. The duo has been racking up runs for fun during the current campaign.
- Shreyas Iyer might shuffle his batting position once again, depending on the match situation. The Indian batter has batted at no-4 and no-5 five this season.
- But expect Angkrish Raghuvanshi to bat at no-3, while Venkatesh Iyer should bat either at no-4 or no-5.
- Rinku Singh and Andre Russell are likely to be assigned the role of finisher in KKR Playing XI.
- Mitchell Starc is leaking runs at an alarming rate, but expect the Australian in Kolkata’s Playing 11.
- Suyash Sharma might be the only player losing his place in KKR Playing 11.
Punjab Kings
Shikhar Dhawan is recovering from a shoulder injury
- PBKS are sweating over the fitness of Shikhar Dhawan who is recovering from a shoulder injury.
- If Dhawan remains out, expect Sam Curran to lead the team in his absence, and also starting as an opener alongside Prabhsimran Singh.
- Rilee Rossouw failed to impress in the first two games and might lose his place in PBKS Playing XI. If that’s the case, Jonny Bairstow might come into the playing 11.
- The likes of Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma are likely to form the crux of PBKS’ middle-order.
- Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada and Harshal Patel should be the main pacers in the Punjab’s Playing XI.
TOP Picks For KKR vs PBKS Dream 11 Match
Captain Options:
Sunil Narine Is In red-Hot Form For KKR
- Sunil Narine: He can’t do anything wrong these days. Whatever Narine is touching is turning into Gold. He has been that good. With 286 runs in 7 innings, including one century, the 35-year-old is the leading scorer for KKR in IPL 2024. Add to this his 9 wickets in seven games, and we get a player who guarantees points in any Dream11 Fantasy Cricket game.
Sunil Narine In IPL 2024: Matches: 07 | Runs: 286 | Wickets: 09. - Phil Salt: The England wicket-keeper batsman has emerged as one of the standout performers for KKR in IPL 2024. His impact at the top is unparalleled, as he is scoring quick runs, taking the game away from the opponents in a matter of few overs. Considering he scored 48 runs off 14 balls in the last game against Bangalore, he should be in your KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Cricket teams.
Phil Salt In Last IPL 2024 Match: 48 Runs Off 14 Balls (7X4s, 3X6s). - Andre Russell: Picked up three crucial wickets against RCB and scored 27 runs off 20 balls in the same match. His impact on this KKR team is unparalleled. And that’s why, due to his two-way skills-set, he guaranteed points in Fantasy Cricket matches. The veteran West Indian all-rounder is a top-notch option to have in KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Fantasy Cricket teams.
Andre Russell In Last IPL 2024 Match: 27 Runs Off 20 Balls (4X4s) | 3-0-25-03. - Sam Curran: Picked up one wicket in the last match and made 20 runs as well. He is one of those players who guarantees at least 50 points in every Fantasy cricket match. A no-nonsense option to have in KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Today IPL Teams.
Sam Curran In Last IPL 2024 Match: 20 Runs Off 19 Balls (2X4s) | 2-0-18-01.
Sam Curran Might Open For PBKS Once Again
Vice-Captain Options:
- Shreyas Iyer: The only reason he isn’t the highest scorer for KKR in IPL 2024, is his batting position. Batting at no-4 and no-5 gives you only so much deliveries to impact the match. But he has played his part, like in the last game when he blasted 50 runs off 36 balls. The 29-year-old is in good touch and should be in your Dream11 Fantasy Cricket teams.
Shreyas Iyer In Last IPL 2024 Match: 50 Runs Off 36 Balls (7X4s, 1X6s). - Harshit Rana: The 22-year-old youngster is having a solid IPL 2024 campaign. In just 6 innings, he has picked up 9 wickets, including two in the last match against RCB.
Harshit Rana In Last IPL 2024 Match: 4-0-33-02. - Harshal Patel: With 13 wickets in 8 matches, Harshal Patel is the leading wicket-taker for PBKS in IPL 2024. He guarantees points due to his wicket-taking abilities. The 33-year-old Indian bowler should be in your KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Teams.
Harshal Patel In Last IPL 2024 Match: 3-0-15-03.
Players worth considering:
Shashank Singh
Kagiso Rabada
Rinku Singh
Liam Livingstone
KKR vs PBKS Predicted Lineups
Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI: Sam Curran (C), Prabhsimran Singh, Rilee Rossouw / Jonny Bairstow, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Singh Bhatia (IMPACT PLAYER)
Punjab Kings Playing XI: Phil Salt (WK), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Mitchell Starc, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Ramandeep Singh (IMPACT PLAYER)
KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction Teams
KKR vs PBKS Dream 11 Prediction Team 1
- Wicketkeepers: P Salt
- Batsmen: S Iyer, S Singh, A Raghuvanshi, A Sharma
- All-rounders: A Russell, S Narine (C), S Curran (VC), L Livingstone
- Bowlers: A Singh, H Rana
KKR vs PBKS Dream 11 Prediction Team 2
- Wicketkeepers: P Salt, P Singh
- Batsmen: S Iyer, S Singh, A Sharma
- All-rounders: A Russell (VC), S Narine, S Curran (C)
- Bowlers: A Singh, H Patel / K Rabada, V Chakaravarthy
