KKR vs PBKS Match Prediction: IPL 2024 Match 42, Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match?

KKR vs PBKS Match Prediction: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will look to win back-to-back games when they play Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at Eden Gardens on Friday evening (IST). The match is scheduled to start at 07:30 PM (IST). KKR moved to 2nd on IPL 2024 points table after a nerve-wrenching 1-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last match, while PBKS remain 2nd from bottom following a run of four straight defeats.

Match Preview

The last two games made KKR management realize that they can’t just outscore their opponents in every game. The bowlers must step up if they are to outrun every other team in this marathon called IPL 2024. But so far so good, the two-time IPL champions are on right path, sitting 2nd on the points table with 5 wins in 7 matches.

One of the two defeats for KKR came against Rajasthan Royals. It was a game that super highlighted the chinks in KKR’s bowling unit. Despite posting 223/6 in 20 overs and restricting RR to 121/6 in 12.2 overs at one stage, Shreyas Iyer‘s team failed to close out the game, losing by two wickets in the end.

In the following game, it was more or less the same story, albeit, this time, KKR managed to survive after winning against RCB by just one run.

For Punjab Kings, the season is almost on the brink of becoming dead rubber. For the reason that the current gap between them and the top-four is six points, which is almost impossible to erase in the remaining six games. But it’s still possible. All PBKS need to do is to win all their remaining games and hope that their rivals drop points.

However, that’s a completely hypothetical scenario considering PBKS currently languish as one of the most underperforming teams. They have suffered defeats in the last four games and are still without their talismanic captain, Shikhar Dhawan, who is battling to recover from a shoulder injury.

Also Read: KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction

KKR vs PBKS Match Details

Eden Gardens Pitch Report

If an out-of-form batter can choose a pitch to get his form back, then Eden Gardens will definitely be on his list. That’s how good this pitch is for batting. The teams have crossed the 200-run mark 6 times in 8 innings in IPL 2024. That last game was also a high-score encounter between the home team and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Shreyas Iyer‘s team batted first and posted 222/6 in 20 overs, and RCB made 221 in chase, falling short by just one run. So expect another high-scoring game here.
The team batting first has to score in excess of 190-200 runs to stand any chance of winning the game.

KKR vs PBKS Head-To-Head Record

This will be the 33rd IPL head-to-head match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings. KKR have enjoyed more good days than the bad ones against PBKS, winning 21 times in 32 previous meeting against Punjab outfit, who managed to win only 11 games. However, PBKS upped the ante in the last few matches, winning three times in six previous meeting against the Two-time IPL champions.
More importantly, both teams won their respective home matches against each other during the IPL 2023 season.

Last Meeting Between KKR vs PBKS
PBKS: 179/7 (1st innings)
KKR: 182/5/5 (2nd innings)

KKR vs PBKS Predicted Playing 11:

Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted Lineup:
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)

Punjab Kings Predicted Lineup:
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)

KKR vs PBKS Match Prediction: Best Batters And Bowlers

KKR Probable highest scorer: Sunil Narine | Phil Salt | Shreyas Iyer

One player who should be in your KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Teams is Sunil Narine. He is the leading scorer for KKR in IPL 2024,. having made 286 runs in 7 innings. The 35-year-old also scored one century this season and has hit 20 sixes and 28 fours as well.

Phil Salt made the mockery of RCB bowlers during his 14-ball innings. The 27-year-old England wicket-keeper smashed his way to 48 runs while hitting 7 fours and 3 massive sixes. On current form, he is one of the hottest batters in IPL 2024, and should be in your KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Today IPL Teams.

Phil Salt Scored 48 Off Just 14 Balls Against RCB

Shreyas Iyer made a brilliant half-century in the last match against RCB, scoring 50 runs off 36 balls, including 7 fours and 1 six. KKR‘s captain has had only limited chance to show his batting prowess due to the incredible form of Phil Salt and Sunil Narine. But we all know how good Shreyas Iyer can be.

PBKS Probable Highest Scorer: Shashank Singh or Ashutosh Sharma

In a season that has fallen short of targets and marred by injury to captain Shikhar Dhawan, Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma have emerged as beacons of light. The duo has exceeded every possible expectation to the extent that they are now the leading scorers for the Punjab Kings.

Shashank is leading the scoring charts for PBKS, having made 154 runs in 8 innings, while Ashutosh Sharma has racked up 159 runs in 5 innings. The duo should be in your KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Today IPL Teams.

KKR Probable Best Bowler: Sunil Narine or Harshit Rana

Narine is like having two players in one. Not only is he the highest scorer for KKR, but the West Indian is also leading the charge in the wickets department, having picked up nine wickets in seven matches. He is a phenomenal player who can do no wrong these days. If you’re playing multiple Fantasy Cricket teams, consider adding Sunil Narine to most of them.

Harshit Rana is also enjoying a solid IPL 2024 season. With nine wickets in six innings, he is the second-highest wicket-taker for KKR this campaign. Even against RCB, the 22-year-old stood out as he took two crucial wickets while giving away just 32 runs in four overs. That’s a remarkable performance, especially considering RCB scored 221 runs in 20 overs.”

PBKS Probable Best Bowler: Harshal Patel | Sam Curran

With 13 wickets in 8 matches, Harshal Patel is the leading wicket-taker for PBKS in IPL 2024. The former RCB bowler is also being backed for a place in India’s T20I World Cup Squad. Considering his wicket-taking abilities and the way he bowls during the death overs, he might come in handy on the slow pitches in the West Indies and the USA.

Sam Curran is also amongst the wickets for PBKS. The England all-rounder is one of the few PBKS players who has impressed this season. Considering his all-round skills, he can be a difference maker in this match.

In addition, both Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh have picked 10 wickets each for PBKS in IPL 2024. Both are more than capable of winning games on their own.

Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match Between KKR vs PBKS

The table doesn’t lie. Each team has played enough games to know about their credentials. KKR are certainly higher in that regard since they are closer to the summit, while PBKS are in close proximity of the bottom of power rankings. Also considering that KKR’s batting unit is scoring runs for fun, a win for the home team is the most likely outcome in this match. Check our KKR vs PBKS pre-match odds:

Chances Of A Win
KKR: 59%
PBKS: 41%

Disclaimer: The above match prediction is based on the data and instincts of the writer. While picking players for your team, consider the points mentioned above, and make your own wise decision.