IPL 2022: KOLKATA LOOK TO END LOSING STREAK, KEEP PLAY-OFFS HOPES ALIVE
(The Quiver): Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) can’t afford any more slip-ups in their IPL 2022 Campaign. KKR will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) tonight to keep their playoffs hope alive in IPL 2022. KKR is currently on 5 match losing streak and defeat today will end their PLAYOFF hopes.
Making the play-offs from here looks improbable for KKR who desperately need to find their best XI and stick with it for the remainder of the competition.
“A lot of chopping and changing is happening, it’s been difficult to set up the right combination, with all injuries not helping as well. We need to stick together, play some fearless cricket, not be conservative with the bat.“Five more matches remaining, we need to play well, show belief and give something back to the team and the management, forget about the past, start fresh and back your instinct,” said skipper Shreyas Iyer after the last game.
The trio of Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav and Sunil Narine has been impressive and will be aiming to keep the in-form Jos Buttler quiet.
Rajasthan rely a lot on Buttler and his 566 runs at 70.75 are a big reason why they find themselves in the top-four. As the Englishman can’t be expected to fire in every game, skipper Sanju Samson needs to step up and be more consistent.They are arguably the best bowling side in the competition but could not defend 159 in their previous game against Mumbai Indians due to heavy dew.
With 19 wickets at 13.68, Yuzvendra Chahal leads the bowling charts this season and alongside R Ashwin, Trent Boult and Prasidh Krishna, the Rajasthan attack has the ability to defend even below-par totals.
The two sides clashed earlier this season in a high-scoring thriller. The match featured a hundred and hattrick by Royals duo of Jos Butler & Yuzvendra Chahal.
