IPL 2020: Match 54: Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Rajasthan Royals: KKR Predicted XI

The 54th match of the Indian Premier League [IPL] will see Kolkata Knight Riders [KKR] lock horns with Rajasthan Royals [RR] in what is a virtual knockout game for both sides in Dubai on Sunday.

After having lost back-to-back games, KKR have their backs to the wall and in order to qualify for the playoffs, they will not only have to win their last game but will also have to hope that Chennai Super Kings beat Kings XI Punjab in their match-up earlier in the day.

Here’s a look at KKR’s predicted XI against RR-

 

 

Shubman Gill

The right-handed opener looked in imperious touch in the last match against Chennai Super Kings as he took the attack to the latter’s pacers in the powerplay.

Gill smashed four boundaries in his 17-ball 24 before he was eventually dismissed by Karn Sharma.

 

Nitish Rana

Nitish Rana started off cautiously against CSK as he stitched KKR’s slowest fifty. But the southpaw switched gears brilliant during the middle-order.

Rana took the attack to the spinners and smashed his last 37 runs in a mere 17 balls before eventually getting dismissed for a 61-ball 87. KKR will hope that the southpaw continues with his form in the virtual knockout against RR.

 

Sunil Narine

KKR slotted Sunil Narine at the No.3 spot in the last game with the objective to take on the spinners.

But the move backfired substantially as Narine holed out to Mitchell Santner in the deep for a seven-ball 7. As far as his bowling is concerned, Narine bowled 4 economical overs for 23 but failed to pick up a wicket.

 

Eoin Morgan (C)

Skipper Eoin Morgan has been reluctant to bat at the No.4 spot throughout this IPL and it was the same story against CSK as the southpaw slotted Rinku Singh ahead of him.

He finally came to bat at the 5th number and managed a 12-ball 15. Will Morgan finally come higher-up in the order in KKR’s last league game?

 

Dinesh Karthik [WK]

The last match once again testified that when Dinesh Karthik comes to bat at the backend of the innings, he is a different prospect as compared to when he comes higher up the order.

Karthik came to bat in the 18th over following the dismissal of Nitish Rana and his whirlwind 10-ball 21 was the major reason behind KKR getting the much-needed momentum at the backend.

 

Rinku Singh

KKR played Rinku Singh in the last game. Singh was promoted to the No.4 spot but he failed to make the most of the opportunity, managing a run-a-ball 11.

It will be interesting to see if KKR persists with the move or do they bolster their bowling by including Kuldeep Yadav or one of Prasidh Krishna or Shivam Mavi.

 

Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi was once again demoted down the order in the last game against the Chennai Super Kings.

Tripathi faced just two balls in which he scored 2 runs.

 

Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins had another brilliant outing in the last game. The fast bowler claimed crucial wickets of Ambati Rayudu and Ruturaj Gaikwad in his 4-over spell.

Cummins was equally brilliant at the death as he nailed consistent yorkers to leave Ferguson with 30 runs in the bank in the last 2 overs.

 

Lockie Ferguson

After having put up brilliant performances in IPL 2020, Lockie Ferguson had a rare bad outing in the last game against CSK.

Ferguson was taken to the cleaners by a rampaging Ruturaj Gaikwad in his 1st three overs. And, just as it looked that the fast bowler was on his way to redeem himself after he bowled four brilliant balls in the 19th over, the Kiwi pacer erred in his line and length and was carted for two fours and a six by Ravindra Jadeja.

Ferguson finished with figures of 0-54 in his four overs and he would be looking to redeem himself against RR

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Varun Chakravarthy

Varun Chakravarthy continued with his impressive run in the ongoing IPL with yet another brilliant performance against Chennai Super Kings.

The leg-spinner dismissed Shane Watson before dislodging MS Dhoni for the second time this season and eventually finished with figures of 2-20 in 4 overs.

 

Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s figures of 0-34 in three overs against CSK will not suggest how good the young fast bowler bowled, especially in the last over of the game.

With just 10 runs in the bank, Nagarkoti displayed great character as he ensured he gave away just three runs in the first four balls. But the youngster eventually erred in his length and Ravindra Jadeja cashed in big-time to smash him for two sixes and seal the deal for his team.

Also Read- IPL 2020: Match 54: Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Rajasthan Royals: RR Predicted XI