Rajasthan Royals won the toss and chose to bowl first against Kolkata Knight Riders in the 31st match of IPL 2024 at Eden Gardens here on Tuesday.
KKR, on the other hand, will be aiming to set a challenging target for RR to chase. With both teams having a mix of experienced and talented players, it promises to be a closely contested match.
At the toss, RR Captain Sanju Samson expressed his excitement about playing in Kolkata.
He revealed the availability of Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin to bolster RR’s lineup. Both players bring valuable experience and skill to the team, which could be pivotal in determining the outcome of the match.
Buttler is known for his explosive batting and can change the game’s course single-handedly, while Ashwin’s bowling expertise and ability to pick up crucial wickets can put pressure on the opposition.
KKR Captain Shreyas Iyer mirrored a similar sentiment to the decision. He expressed that he would have also chosen to bowl first if given the opportunity, indicating that both captains see value in exploiting early pitch conditions or putting early pressure on the opposition.
Shreyas also mentioned Sunil Narine’s role as a spinner. Narine’s ability to contain runs and pick up key wickets can indeed provide momentum for his team, especially in the middle overs.
He also mentioned that there are no changes in the team, sticking with their winning combination.
Both teams seem well-prepared and confident going into the match. It sets the stage for an exciting contest between bat and ball.
Teams
Kolkata Knight Riders: Phil Salt (wicketkeeper), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Ramandeep Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Mitchell Starc, Varun Chakraborty and Harshit Rana.
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rovman Powell, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper/captain), Ryan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Kuldeep Sen, Avesh Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal.
