Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 19th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on Friday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. KKR is coming off two impressive wins, while SRH recently secured their first victory of the season.
KKR bounced back from their loss to Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 7 runs via the DLS method, thrashing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 81 runs and clinching a thrilling win against Gujarat Titans (GT) by 3 wickets. SRH, on the other hand, lost to Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 72 runs and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 5 wickets in their first two games before registering their first win of the season by beating Punjab Kings by 8 wickets.
KKR’s campaign got off to a rocky start, but Shardul Thakur and Rinku Singh emerged as unlikely heroes in their recent victories. Thakur’s 29-ball 68 led KKR to their first win of the season against RCB, while Singh’s extraordinary power-hitting, scoring 31 runs in the last over, sealed the victory against GT. KKR has achieved these wins without significant contributions from star players Andre Russell and skipper Nitish Rana, making them an even more formidable opponent.
With a batting lineup bolstered by England opener Jason Roy’s likely inclusion in place of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, KKR hopes to prove that their recent wins were not a fluke. Andre Russell, who has underperformed in recent matches, will be keen to prove his worth in the upcoming match against SRH.
SRH, led by Aiden Markram, has a strong roster featuring players like Harry Brook, Mayank Agarwal, and Heinrich Klaasen. Despite their struggles in the first two matches, SRH found their rhythm with Rahul Tripathi’s unbeaten 74, leading them to their first win against Punjab Kings. SRH will rely on the likes of Brook, Klaasen, and a potent spin attack featuring Washington Sundar and Mayank Markande to put up a strong fight against KKR.
A victory for KKR, currently in third place, could propel them to the top of the table. Both teams will be eager to continue their winning momentum as they face off in this highly anticipated match.