IPL 2018, KKR vs RR: 5 reasons why Kolkata can beat Rajasthan tonight

The Rajasthan Royals-Kolkata Knight Riders clash comes at a crucial juncture with five teams in contention for two playoffs spots. With both teams having 12 points from 12 games and a negative net run rate, they must win their last two games to qualify for the playoffs.

Kolkata Knight Riders were thoroughly beaten by Mumbai Indians but bounced back in spectacular fashion, scoring a mammoth 245 against Kings XI Punjab, winning the match by 31 runs.

On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals have been resurgent, winning three games in a row, thanks to Jos Buttler's heroics at the top of the order. Rajasthan Royals were almost out of the tournament with six losses in nine matches, but have managed to stay afloat with some superb recent performances. However, KKR may be a bridge too far for them:

Here are five reasons why KKR can beat Rajasthan tonight:

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#1 Rajsthan's overdependence on Buttler

Fortunes have changed rapidly for Rajasthan's wicketkeeper-batsman. Batting down the order, Buttler struggled to score runs but things changed after his promotion to the top.

Buttler has scored five consecutive fifties, equalling Virender Sehwag's feat, and has kept Rajasthan's hopes alive. The first two fifties did not result in a win but that made Buttler bat more responsibly as he finished the match off for Rajasthan on the last two occasions.

In all three victories, Rajasthan Royals have been heavily dependent on Buttler and no other batsman has contributed much. Of the 506 runs scored by Rajasthan in the last three matches, Buttler has scored 271 i.e. a mammoth 53.55%. If KKR can get the wicket of Buttler early then half their work is done.

#2 Sanju Samson's form

Sanju Samson has failed to convert his starts into big scores

After scoring 178 runs in the first three matches, Sanju Samson has managed only 201 runs in his next 9 innings. Samson has gotten many starts in the tournament but has failed to convert them into big scores.

In spite of getting 9 starts, he has reached the 50-mark only twice and of the two, only one was a big score. Samson is the second highest run-getter for Rajasthan and that shows how much they need him to step up in the next two matches.

In the last four matches, he has crossed the 20-mark but none of them have resulted in a big innings.

#3 KKR's spin troika

Narine has been the pick of the bowlers this season

On a big ground like the Eden Gardens, quality spinners will be effective and Kolkata have three of them in their ranks. Sunil Narine, along with Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav, has troubled most of the batsmen so far in the tournament.

The three spinners together have claimed 34 wickets in the twelve games so far. Even though the wrist spinners have gone for runs on various occasions, they have also troubled the batsmen. With the three spinners bowling incredibly, it will difficult for Rajasthan to win this match.

#4 Lynn-Narine opening combination

The two have provided KKR with quick starts

The opening batsmen have scored a total of 602 runs for the Kolkata-based franchise. The openers have made two half-centuries each and will be crucial in the last two matches.

This season, Chris Lynn has batted with more responsibility. In the twelve innings so far, Lynn has scored 325 runs with a strike rate of 135.98, much lower than last year's 180.98 but his intention to stay at the crease is a positive sign for KKR.

On the other hand, Narine has been going all guns blazing and has a strike of 177.56. He has scored two half-centuries for his side and has successfully provided quick starts for his team.

If the openers bat till the end of the powerplay, then KKR can easily post a huge score on the board.

#5 Dinesh Karthik's form

Karthik is in sublime touch

The captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders has kept his team afloat in the race for the playoffs. Dinesh Karthik is the highest run-scorer for the Kolkata-based franchise. His strike rate of 154.58 this season is much higher than his overall IPL strike rate, which is below 130.

Karthik has taken up the role of a finisher for side and has been doing the job wonderfully. So far in the tournament, he has remained not out on four occasions and has an average of 46.37. In the match against KXIP, he scored his first half-century, off just 22 deliveries.

Karthik, who is riding high on confidence, will look to carry his form into the last two matches and help take his side to the playoffs.