THE BIG CLASH
Here’s how Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals stack up ahead of their high-octane Indian Premier League Eliminator at Eden Gardens on Wednesday
Kolkata Knight Riders STRENGHTS
Leading from the front: Like Gambhir, Dinesh Karthik brings a lot of energy to his captaincy and has come good with the bat. At 438 runs from 14 games, he is KKR’s highest scorer and has finished games.
Collective effort: No one from KKR features among top 10 rungetters while Sunil Narine is 8th among top 10 wicket-takers. It shows that KKR have not relied on one or two players and whenever required, someone has stepped up either with the bat or ball.
The Dre Russ factor: With 13 wickets, Andre Russell is KKR’s man with the golden arm. He also has 264 runs at a strike rate of 189.92 providing impetus at the back-end.
WEAKNESSES
Uthappa’s patchy performance: He is the vice-captain and was supposed to shoulder responsibility in the top order. But Uthappa has got just one 50 and has averaged 24.71 in 14 games. Lower order woes: In the last three games, Shubman Gill and the rest have not got enough time in the middle and while that can be a good thing, it could make things difficult should the tail need to wag.
No real pace ace: It has been an area of concern for KKR since Mitchell Starc pulled up injured. Mitchell Johnson isn’t a patch on the bowler who scared with his pace. Shivam Mavi has done well for someone who won the under-19 World Cup but has twice gone for 28 in one over.
Rajasthan Royals STRENGHTS
Collective effort: This is something Rajasthan Royals have in common with their opponents. From K Gowtham to Shreyas Gopal, everyone has contributed in some form to get the team among the top four.
The Jofra Archer factor: He missed a few games at the start and to say RR missed him would be understating the obvious. In nine games Archer has taken 13 wickets at a strike rate of 16.07. Bowling: RR bowlers have fired in unison. Shreyas Gopal took four wickets against RCB, Ben Laughlin and Jaydev Unadkat took a brace each and gave Royals hope. Unadkat has so far taken 11 wickets.
WEAKNESSES
Missing Buttler and Stokes: Jos Buttler has been a key player for RR but is not available now. He notched up five successive half-centuries. Stokes, too, came good with the ball towards the end and will be missed. Ajinkya Rahane’s lean run: Unlike Karthik, the Royals skipper has not been at his best. Rahane has 324 runs in 14 games with only one 50. Most importantly, it has come at a poor strike rate of 119.11. Opening woes: D’Arcy Short hasn’t fired and Jos Buttler has gone home. Rahul Tripathi has looked iffy and in the last match, Jofra
Archer opened and was out for a duck. It remains a concern for Rajasthan Royals.