IPL 2021 – Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders taking place? Saturday 24th April, 2021 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders taking place? Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Where can I get tickets for Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders? IPL 2021 matches will initially be played without spectators but visit the official IPL website for any further updates
What channel is Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders on? Sky Sports will be televising this match
Where can I stream Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders? Sky Sports subscribers will be able to stream the match live vis the Sky Go website or app
THE TEAM NEWS
RAJASTHAN ROYALS
- The Rajasthan Royals need to pick themselves up quickly after suffering a heavy beating at the hands of Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday as after posting what appeared like an under-par 177/9, RCB smashed their way to a 10-wicket victory with 21 balls remaining.
- Their key batsmen at the top of the order all gave their wickets away in that game and the reality is that unless Buttler, Samson and Miller can make major contributions, they look likely to struggle in all games at present.
- Their options to change things around are limited as they currently have just five overseas players available which does not bode well for them and it is difficult to see them throwing Andrew Tye in when it is their batting that needs assistance.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
- Kolkata Knight Riders sit level on points with Rajasthan with their identical records of one win and three losses after four rounds so the pressure is just as much on them to halt this poor form and snap a three-game losing run.
- They were smashed for 220/3 by Chennai Super Kings last time out and they were in all kinds of trouble at 31/5 in the powerplay during the run chase but Dinesh Kartik (40 from 24), Andre Russell (54 from 22) and Pat Cummins (66* from 34) took it down to the wire before they ultimately fell short.
- The top order desperately need to improve including skipper Eoin Morgan though Sunil Narine may have just about done enough with the ball to merit another chance against the Royals.
THE PREDICTION
Both the Royals and Knight Riders are under pressure here after losing three of their opening four matches to this edition of the IPL. The Rajasthan outfit are struggling badly and their only win came thanks to some heroics down the order when they were up against it. There are very few positives for them right now and their bad luck with injuries is certainly affecting them. They face a KKR side that has issues of their own but on this small pitch in Mumbai, will strongly fancy their chances of racking up a big score. There were some positives despite their loss last time out and they are tipped to snap this poor form and get the win to compound the Royals’ miseries.
