The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will commence their IPL 2024 season at the iconic Eden Gardens against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the third match of the IPL 2024 season on Saturday, March 23. Ahead of the KKR vs SRH clash, let’s take a look at three match-ups that could decide which of the two teams will get their IPL 2024 campaign up and running with two points:
Both teams didn’t have a great IPL 2023 as they missed out on qualifying for the playoffs. Kolkata finished in seventh spot, while the SunRisers had to take the wooden spoon. However, it is a fresh start for both sides with different captains from those who were last year.
Shreyas Iyer missed out on IPL 2023 due to his back surgery, but will be back leading KKR this season. SRH have decided to replace Aiden Markram with Australian speedster Pat Cummins at the helm and they would also be hoping for a change of fortune.
Pat Cummins vs Shreyas Iyer
The battle between Pat Cummins and Shreyas Iyer, both captains, is crucial and could sway the match’s outcome. Cummins may resort to a short-ball strategy against Iyer, testing his ability to handle it. A successful response from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ skipper could boost team morale and confidence.
Iyer showcased his prowess by scoring 26 runs in 2 innings. His innings included 4 boundaries and 1 six, with a strike rate of 200.00. Despite facing 4 dot balls, Iyer managed to rotate the strike effectively, hitting 4 singles.
Cummins, however, failed to dismiss him in either encounter, as Iyer proved to be a formidable opponent. With no wickets taken by Cummins, Iyer’s performance remained unscathed, demonstrating his ability to handle the Australian bowler’s challenges effectively.
Travis Head vs Mitchell Starc
Travis Head enjoyed a remarkable 2023, contributing significantly to his team’s success, which somewhat hindered India’s performance in both the ODI World Cup 2023 and the World Test Championship 2023. Sunrisers Hyderabad secured his services for INR 6.25 Crores, hoping his exceptional form will lead them to their first trophy since 2016.
The Australian all-rounder will face his counterpart in the upcoming match, with Mitchell Starc’s formidable new ball bowling posing a challenge to the in-form Head. This showdown in the Indian Premier League could heavily influence the match’s outcome.
Suppose Starc generates swing and seam movement under the floodlights at the Eden Gardens. In that case, it will be intriguing to see if Head can respond aggressively to it to give SRH a winning a start.
Heinrich Klaasen vs Sunil Narine
Another potential game-changer for SRH is the formidable South African batsman, Heinrich Klaasen. Regarded as one of the premier T20 batters, Klaasen may assume a higher batting position compared to last year to maximize his impact for SRH.
Klaasen’s proficiency in taking on spinners is well-known, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup with Sunil Narine. While Narine has conceded 20 runs off the 11 balls he has bowled to Klaasen in T20 cricket, he has also managed to dismiss him once.
Although Narine’s recent performances have been inconsistent, the experienced West Indian possesses the acumen to devise strategies to contain Klaasen effectively. It will be fascinating to see how this battle unfolds during the match.
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