IPL 2018: 49th Match, KKR vs RR - Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI

Rajasthan Royals (RR) will travel to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) home ground for the 49th match of the Indian Premier League 2018. Ajinkya Rahane-led team have won the last three matches on the trot. Thus, the Men in Blue are riding high on the impetus.

Interestingly, Royals have won 50 percent of their matches as they have come victorious in six matches out of the 12 they have played after the disastrous start to the season eleven of the domestic professional Twenty20 league.

On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders also stand at the same situation as Rajasthan after winning six matches. However, Men in Purple has a better Net Run Rate. Furthermore, Dinesh Karthik-led team had also won their previous match against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).

When these two teams had met early in the season, Knight Riders had cruised to a convincing seven-wicket win.

Here is a look at the Predicted Playing XI of the Rajasthan Royals:

Heinrich Klaasen:

D’Arcy Short and Rahul Tripathi have both disappointed with their performances. Thus, it would make sense to give the opportunity to Heinrich Klasen, who has received limited chances.

Jos Buttler:

Jos Buttler has carried the Rajasthan Royals on his shoulders. The England batsman has scored five consecutive fifties. Buttler will like to continue his good show going.

Ajinkya Rahane:

Ajinkya Rahane has had a see-saw season with the bat.

The Royals’ skipper’s batting game is best suited to the powerplay overs. Rahane should try to work on his strike rate.

Sanju Samson:

Sanju Samson had played a pivotal role while scoring 26 runs in the last match.

The right-hander was trying to make a difference on the basis of the Net Run Rate. Moreover, Samson is a livewire in the field and had taken a superb catch in the previous game.

Ben Stokes:

Ben Stokes was finally able to come good with the ball. The England all-rounder would like to carry his bowling confidence into his batting.

Stokes had scalped two wickets in the last match and he was also economical in that process.

Stuart Binny:

Stuart Binny didn’t get a chance to either bat or bowl in the previous match.

However, Binny had dropped a difficult catch. The all-rounder will like to prove his mettle.

Jofra Archer:

Jofra Archer had a fantastic last game. The lanky Jamaican-born fast bowler scalped two wickets and conceded only 16 runs in his quota of four overs.

Royals will like to continue their good form.

Krishnappa Gowtham:

Krishnappa Gowtham has done a fine job with the ball. Moreover, the all-rounder has also played imperative cameos while batting lower down the order.

Shreyas Gopal:

Shreyas Gopal has received limited opportunities in the ongoing season.

The leg-spinner will like to prove his worth in the side.

Jaydev Unadkat:

Jaydev Unadkat will like to keep varying his lengths.

The southpaw medium pacer can sometimes overdo his slower variations.

Dhawal Kulkarni:

Dhawal Kulkarni was expensive in the last match against Mumbai Indians.

The right-hander will like to come back stronger for Rajasthan Royals in an all-important game against Knight Riders.