IPL 2018, RR vs KKR: 5 players battles to look forward to between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders

The two in-form teams meet this evening at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium at Jaipur this evening and promises to be a hard-fought contest. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are 2nd in the table after having won 2 games and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are at 5th with the same number of wins. However, RR have played one fewer game than KKR (4).

As ever, a big game like this is ultimately going to be decided by some of the individual battles that are going to take place this evening and here are 5 of those which everyone is going to be looking forward to with eagerness.

#5 Sunil Narine v Ajinkya Rahane

The Trinidadian is the pre-eminent spin bowler in the tournament and has been so ever since he first played in the IPL, back in 2012. His overs are vital to the KKR bowling effort and so far, Sunil Narine has captured 7 wickets in 4 games with an economy rate of 5.46.

Those are remarkable figures, however, at the same time, the key to breaking the back of the KKR bowling attack is to somehow get on top of the spinner, and RR captain Ajinkya Rahane might just be the man for the job. If Narine takes the new ball, then it is fairly logical for Rahane to go after him and he has the skills to take him on. That being said, Narine has flummoxed some of the biggest hitters in the game throughout his career and Rahane would really need to raise his game if he has to successfully attack him. If it works, then it could be a match-turning effort.

4 Ben Laughlin v Chris Lynn

Ben Laughlin

This battle of the Aussies might no come about if Chris Lynn gets dismissed early on, but if he lasts beyond the Powerplay, then there is the prospect of an absorbing duel with fellow countryman Ben Laughlin. KKR’s power-hitting star has not really set the IPL on fire as yet this year but he has not been dismissed too early either and therein lies the possibility of the battle with Laughlin.

If he starts slow and survives, then he would have to go after the right-arm medium pace bowler once he is introduced. That little passage of play could prove to be crucial. On the other hand, if Lynn goes berserk, then Rahan would have to introduce Laughlin early and that would again prove to be a fascinating contest. It would definitely have a bearing on the ultimate result of the match.

#3 Shreyas Gopal v Nitish Rana

Nitish Rana

KKR’s number 4, Nitish Rana, has been one of the tournament’s better batsmen so far for the side. He has made 127 runs so far in 4 games, at an average of 31.75 and a strike-rate of 141.30. The left-hander is in fine form and is going to be one of the key players for the visitors this evening. He is equally at ease against both pace and spin and hence, it would be interesting to see how he negotiates the leg-spin bowling of Shreyas Gopal.

The leg-spinner is a very clever bowler and many have found it quite difficult to hit out against him. In the previous game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gopal took the wickets of AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli to pull the game in RR’s favour. He gave away only 22 runs and conceded just one four and one six during the course of a run fest. On the other hand, Rana would like to go after him from the start and their contest could go a long way in deciding the course of the middle overs in the KKR innings.

#2 Sanju Samson v Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav

Sanju Samson played an extraordinary innings against RCB in the weekend and hit as many as 10 sixes, along with 2 fours, in his 45-ball 92. What is interesting, however, is the fact that out of those boundaries, only 2 were hit against the spinners and against KKR, the in-form Samson comes up against a potent spin bowling attack in the tournament.

However, it would be very interesting to watch how he handles the guile of Kuldeep Yadav, who has proven to be an awkward bowler to face for many batsmen due to his craft. The left-arm leg-spinner’s turn and variety would be a tough exam for Samson to face, and if he is able to pass that with flying colours, then there is every chance that the game will swing RR’s way.

#1 Ben Stokes v Andre Russell

Ben Stokes

This battle between two big, bulky superstar all-rounders of the two sides could very well go a long way towards deciding the winner of today’s game. Andre Russell has emerged as the power-hitting monster of the tournament with a barely believable strike-rate of 239.06. In addition to that, he has an average of 51 and that is what makes him a game breaker. He can change a game in a matter of few deliveries. On the other hand, there is Ben Stokes, who can match the West Indian stroke for stroke and would be batting at number 3 for the RR.

However, what makes their duel even more fascinating is that either of them would have the chance of dismissing the other or at least controlling the flow of runs. If one can dismiss the other, then the game could well turn. Lastly, they are both brilliant fielders and an outstanding catch to dismiss the opposite number could also prove to be the turning point of the game.