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Kolkata Knight Riders topped the table across the league stage, but that now pales into significance as they host the hard-hitting Sunrisers Hyderabad for a place in the 2024 IPL final.
DATE/TIME: Tuesday 21st May 2024, UK – 15:00 / INDIA – 19:30 / US EST – 10:00 / US PST – 08:00
VENUE: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India
WEATHER: Extremely hot conditions with temperatures in the high 30s with clear skies and a light wind
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / INDIA – Star Sports / US – Willow TV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / INDIA – JioCinema App / US – Willow TV
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS FORM: RAJASTHAN RESULTS CONTINUE TO NOSEDIVE
Although Kolkata Knight Riders come into this qualifier having not lost since April 26th, each of their last two league games being abandoned without a ball being bowled does mean they head into the play-offs slightly cold with their opponents playing once since KKR last took to the field.
LAST FIVE: AAWWW
SUNRISERS HYDERABAD FORM: WINNING STREAK ENDED BY THE WEATHER
Sunrisers Hyderabad enter the play-offs on the back of a hard-fought victory over Punjab Kings, which saw them chase down 215 with four wickets and five balls remaining and five points gained from the last six available to them, enough to finish above Rajasthan Royals on net-run-rate.
LAST FIVE: WAWLW
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS BETTING ANALYSIS
The fact that no Kolkata Knight Riders batters are among the top five highest run scorers across the 2024 IPL underlines how much of a team effort is has been from their perspective. With that in mind, more niche markets such as ‘Batter Total Match Sixes’ could prove profitable. Assuming Sunil Narine opens the batting, the West Indian will look to utilise the powerplay effectively and backing him to score over 1.5 match sixes is an enticing play.
If any player is capable of constructing an innings regardless of whether KKR are setting or chasing a target, it would be Shreyas Iyer. The captain has shown his class in the past and this would the perfect time for him to step up for his side, so back the India international to finish as Kolkata Knight Riders’ highest run-scorer here via a small stake.
We’ve touched upon the threat of Varun Chakravarthy with the ball and KKR’s mystery spinner boasts 18 wickets despite two of their 14 games being rained. On a big ground such as Ahmedabad, that spin could be worth its weight in gold if SRH’s notoriously aggressive batters try to take him on. Therefore, back Chakravarthy to accrue 2+ wickets.
SUNRISERS HYDERABAD BETTING ANALYSIS
If Sunrisers Hyderabad are to get the better of KKR, their batters will need to be at their best from a power-hitting perspective, especially Travis Head. The Australian boasts 533 runs across the group stage, the third-highest score of any player, including 31 sixes. Back Head to hit the most match sixes for his side, but also to record a score of over 28.5 match runs.
Similarly aggressive is fellow opener Abhishek Sharma, who blasted 66 from 28 balls against Punjab Kings last time out, including five match sixes. Not only should Abhishek be backed to accrue over 1.5 match sixes vs KKR, but SRH are worth backing to record the higher opening partnership between these two sides, particularly with Phil Salt missing for KKR.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS VS SUNRISERS HYDERABAD EXPERTPREDICTION
Kolkata Knight Riders have certainly been the stronger team over the course of the league stage and also gained victory in the only match between the two, winning by 4 runs at Eden Gardens. Whilst both teams are capable of piling up big runs, Kolkata’s bowlers may give them edge, particularly from a spin-bowling perspective. Expect a very close encounter, but for KKR to just do enough.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS VS SUNRISERS HYDERABAD TIP: KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS TO WIN