RR vs KKR, IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals eyes qualifier spot against table-topper Kolkata Knight Riders

An alert from the National Disaster Management Authority bears grim prognoses about impending thunderstorms, rain and gusty wind for Guwahati residents ahead of Rajasthan Royals versus Kolkata Knight Riders, Indian Premier League’s last group-stage fixture.

That the match at Barsapara Stadium may end up deciding whether Sanju Samson’s men finish in the top two, it may have the dugout addressing a prayer or two to the rain gods.

How things are

With Royal Challengers Bengaluru being the latest entrant, the top four are now decided. 

The mathematics also has become quite simple. Even if Sunrisers Hyderabad wins its day game against Punjab Kings, RR can still finish second by beating KKR.

Stats

If Sunday’s contest does get underway, death overs are where Samson’s team needs to metamorphose into its full glory. RR has not only scored 71 runs more than KKR between the 16th and 20th over, but it has also picked 24 wickets, a touch better than KKR’s 21.

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RR will also carry a psychological advantage for it pulled off a record chase to prevail the last time these two sides met.

An interesting duel to look forward to will be the one between spinners CV Varun (KKR) and Yuzvendra Chahal (RR) in the middle overs. While Varun has picked 16 wickets, the most by any bowler in 2024 between overs 7 and 16, Chahal has accounted for 15.

Salt unavailable

KKR will not have Phil Salt, who has flown back to England on national duty, in the eleven. He is the side’s second-highest run-scorer this season (435). Although Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be an ideal like-for-like replacement, Shreyas Iyer and Co. haven’t officially named anybody.