Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will be aiming to bounce back in the game against Rajasthan Royals after starting their IPL 2025 campaign on a losing note. Ajinkya Rahane and co. were handed a 7-wicket defeat by RCB in the opening match of the tournament at Eden Gardens. KKR’s spin unit will have to step up after failing to fire in the previous game.
KKR predicted playing XI vs RR
| Position | Player | Role |
| 1. | Quinton de Kock (WK) | Batter |
| 2. | Sunil Narine | All-rounder |
| 3. | Ajinkya Rahane (C) | Batter |
| 4. | Venkatesh Iyer | Batter |
| 5. | Andre Russell | All-rounder |
| 6. | Rinku Singh | Batter |
| 7. | Ramandeep Singh | All-rounder |
| 8. | Mayank Markande | Bowler |
| 9. | Harshit Rana | Bowler |
| 10. | Anrich Nortje | Bowler |
| 11. | Varun Chakravarthy | Bowler |
Venkatesh Iyer, middle-order need to step up
KKR’s top-order is not a worry, with Narine and Rahane showing signs of their destructive ability in the first game. de Kock, who managed to score just 4 runs in the game against RCB, will be eyeing better returns against RR. However, Rs 23.75 crore buy Venkatesh Iyer, who was outfoxed by Krunal Pandya, will have to pull up his socks and deliver for the team. Rinku Singh will also have to rediscover his form.
KKR’s spinners need to start firing
The team’s spinners will have to capitalize on the spin-friendly conditions in Guwahati. Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine will likely get a boost with the addition of Mayank Markande to the playing XI vs RR. Anrich Nortje, who warmed the bench in the first contest, is expected to be in the side this time.
Who will be the impact player?
If KKR are batting first, then Angkrish Raghuvanshi could come in as the impact player. The ever-reliable batter fared well in the contest against RCB. KKR can use Vaibhav Arora as the impact sub if they are bowling first.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
CSK & Gaikwad, please drop liabilities Rahul Tripathi & Deepak Hooda vs RR
Top Stories
