Top five player battles to watch out for in KKR vs PBKS match No. 42 in IPL 2024

Match No. 42 of the IPL 2024 will host a KKR vs PBKS clash at the Eden Gardens on Friday.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is approaching the playoffs stage. A few teams are very close to making a place in the next round, while others are on the verge of elimination. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have done a great job so far, and they are second on the table.

KKR have 10 points at the moment, and a win can help them take a further step towards the playoffs. They will lock horns with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 42nd game of the season, which will be played at the Eden Gardens on Friday. PBKS have been struggling this season and are in desperate need of a win.

KKR vs PBKS: Head-to-Head

KKR and PBKS have played 32 games against each other until now. KKR have a dominating record with 21 wins as compared to 11 wins for PBKS.

KKR vs PBKS: Top five player battles to watch out for

1. Sunil Narine vs Kagiso Rabada

It will be really tough for PBKS if Sunil Narine gets going at the top because he can push KKR towards to another 200-plus total with his contribution with the bat. Hence, PBKS need to find out the right plan against him, as RCB did in the last game. And Kagiso Rabada is someone who can execute it perfectly. Rabada has bowled 13 balls to Narine in the IPL. Though he has conceded 23 runs, he has also dismissed him twice.

2. Phil Salt vs Sam Curran

Phil Salt has been superb at the top. If Narine is scoring or not, you will find Salt giving KKR quick starts. He smashed a 14-ball 48 against RCB in the last match. Salt can be very destructive within the powerplay because he likes to carry on his aggressive approach. That’s why PBKS need someone who has troubled him. They have stand-in captain Sam Curran, who has bowled well to him. Salt has scored 50 runs off 46 balls from Curran and gotten out 4 times.

3. Andre Russell vs Harshal Patel

Andre Russell is one of the most destructive batters in the IPL. He has played a few blistering cameos this season and is capable of winning games from any position. He comes to bat mainly when the last 5–6 overs are left, and that is when Harshal Patel also comes to bowl. These two are likely to be up against each other, which will be an exciting battle. Russell has scored 35 runs off 26 balls against Harshal but has gotten out twice.

4. Liam Livingstone vs Sunil Narine

We all know what Liam Livingstone can do with the bat on his day. However, he is not in good form this season, but it is just a matter of one good innings. One good innings is due from Livingstone, and it might come on Friday. But he will have to face Sunil Narine in the middle overs, who has been the most economical bowler in the competition so far. Livingstone hasn’t found it easy to face him, either. Narine has bowled 25 balls and conceded only 21 runs with one wicket.

5. Sam Curran vs Mitchell Starc

It will be the first time Mitchell Starc will be up against Sam Curran in the IPL, but these two international stars have played some cricket against each other. Curran is likely to bat at the top of the order in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan, but Starc will be a possible threat to him. Interestingly, Starc has only bowled two balls at him in international cricket, and he has dismissed him twice already.

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