RR vs KKR: Harbhajan Singh gives no credit to Gautam Gambhir as he picks KKR as strongest title contenders due to this reason

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh believes the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are the top contenders to win the trophy in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Harbhajan Singh stated that the Kolkata Knight Riders have a well-balanced team with all bases covered.

KKR was set to play the Gujarat Titans in their penultimate league encounter in Ahmedabad on Monday, May 13. However, the match was washed out without a single ball being bowled due to rain. The two teams shared one point each, and GT was eliminated from the tournament.

The Knight Riders are the first team to secure a spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. The Shreyas Iyer-led team has 19 points from 13 games and is set to finish in the top two places in the table. They will face the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their last league match in Guwahati on May 19.

They Have Very Good Chances - Harbhajan Singh

Speaking on Star Sports, Harbhajan Singh predicted that Kolkata Knight Riders will win the IPL 2024 trophy. Harbhajan highlighted KKR's strong performances across batting, bowling, and fielding. Singh stated that it would be difficult to beat them.

"They have very good chances because the team is very good. It's an extremely balanced team. I don't think they have anything lacking in their team. The opening slots, middle order, fast and spin bowling are all set. They have all the options a good team should have and that is why they are the table toppers," Harbhajan said.

"I feel they are the strongest contenders to lift the trophy because they have a lot of match-winners. The opposing team needs to have a very good day to beat them. I feel it would be slightly difficult to beat them this season because they are playing terrific cricket," he added.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured their maiden IPL title in 2012 and their second title in 2014 under Gautam Gambhir's captaincy. Gambhir, the former Indian opener, returned to the franchise as a mentor before the start of the IPL 2024.

Phil Salt Won't Be There - Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif praised the Kolkata Knight Riders for their impressive comeback in IPL 2024 from their previous poor seasons. The former Indian batter noted that the team's spirits remain high despite the absence of Phil Salt in Qualifier 1.

"When they will reach here for Qualifier 1, (Phil) Salt won't be there. A new player would have to play there. So the atmosphere will be slightly different but they will be happy because of the way they have played. All players are in form. We rarely see such a turnaround," Kaif said.

"The last two years were very bad for KKR. They finished at the seventh position in two successive years. Now they are finishing at the top. Although one or two games are left, they have qualified. The signs are good. They have good players and a great atmosphere," he added.

Phil Salt is unlikely to be available for the playoffs due to national duties. Rahmanullah Gurbaz may partner with Sunil Narine for the Knight Riders. Salt has scored 435 runs in 12 matches at an impressive average of 39.55 and an outstanding strike rate of 182.00, with a best score of 89 runs.

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