IPL 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings Best Bets

Kolkata Knight Riders battle it out against Punjab Kings on Friday in Match 42 of the . KKR can move closer to securing an early playoff berth with a win, while Punjab Kings will be desperate to move up the standings. We look at the preview and best bets to take for this encounter.

Venue: Eden Gardens

Betting Preview

Kolkata are close to clinching a playoff spot, needing just two or three more wins. They’ve been formidable this season, losing only twice in seven matches to the table toppers, Rajasthan Royals, and at Chennai against a strong home side in the Super Kings.

KKR enter this match in top form, averaging 201 runs per inning and boasting the league’s lowest average concession at 165 runs with the ball. They’ve been particularly aggressive in the powerplay, averaging nearly 66 runs, driven by Sunil Narine’s explosive strike rate of 176.

On the other hand, Punjab’s recent performance has been disappointing, particularly in their last match against Gujarat where they collapsed from 52/0 to 99/6, eventually posting just 142. This wasn’t a one-off, as a similar collapse occurred against Rajasthan, leading to a three-wicket defeat.

Facing Kolkata, Punjab is seen as the underdog, a role they’ve struggled with this season, holding a 2/5 record in such games. On the other hand, KKR have excelled as favourites, with a 4/1 record. Punjab’s challenges are underscored by their second-last ranking for average score (173) and a league-high 58 wickets lost. Harshal Patel, their strike bowler, has found conditions tough in Kolkata, with past figures of 3/135 at an economy of 9.64 runs per over.

Eden Gardens usually favours the side batting second so the toss will be key. Expect a high-scoring contest, with the average total being over 200 at this venue. The home side, Kolkata Knight Riders should prove to be too strong for Punjab.

Players to Watch: Kolkata’s Andre Russell has 408 runs in H2H matches with a strike rate of 200 and additionally has total career figures of 232/7 in all T20s from exactly 120 balls faced against the bowlers Punjab used in their last match. With the ball, he has 14 H2H wickets and a best of 4-20 against Punjab. 

Punjab paceman Arshdeep Singh has been crucial to PBKS this season, claiming ten wickets at 25.70, with a best of 4/29. He also has eight wickets in H2H matches and a best of 3-19 against Kolkata. 

Key Stats

Kolkata struck the most sixes of the match in five of their seven games so far this season.

Rilee Rossouw has smashed 0/54 from 42 balls against Sunil Narine.

Sam Curran has claimed 4/50 from 46 balls against Phil Salt.

Punjab conceded the highest opening partnership in six of their first eight games of IPL 2024.

Kagiso Rabada has head-to-head figures of 2/23 from 13 balls against Sunil Narine.

Rilee Rossouw averages 132 at a scoring rate of 9.32rpo against the West Indian Kolkata pair of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine.

Venkatesh Iyer came into this game averaging less than 16 at a strike rate of 92 against the six bowlers Punjab used in their last match.

Best Bets