IPL 2018: RR vs KKR - 5 players to watch out for

Riding high on confidence after two back-to-back wins, Rajasthan Royals will look to consolidate their position in the top half of the Indian Premier League points table when they face off against the patchy Kolkata Knight Riders at their home ground, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, in Jaipur, on Wednesday.

After a nine-wicket drubbing at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals have bounced back in style to notch up successive victories against Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

With two wins and two losses in four games, Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, are placed second in the tally, with four points. Having their star bowler Michell Starc ruled out due to a leg injury, the two-time champions are struggling for consistency. However, they returned to winning ways with a thumping 71-run win over Delhi Daredevils at home.

As the two teams are raring to go against each other and continue their winning momentum, let us take a look at five players who are likely to play pivotal roles in this clash:

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#5 Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen

This year's leading run scorer of Big Bash League, D'Arcy Short, failed to live up to expectations as he just scored 21 runs in 3 matches for Rajasthan Royals, and it is likely that he could be replaced by Heinrich Klassen of South Africa.

The wicketkeeper-batsman has been signed by Rajasthan Royals for the eleventh edition of the IPL as a replacement for Steven Smith.

Klassen's impressive debut series against India made the world take notice of his skills. He was the only South African batsman who faced the Indian spin twins, Kuldeep Yadav and Yujvendra Chahal, confidently and with ease in that series.

He scored 92 runs in 3 innings at an average of 30.67 and a staggering strike rate of 190.67, in the recent T20 series against India.

Given the wide array of shots in his arsenal and his ability to tackle spinners, Klassen certainly can light up this IPL with his unorthodox, yet effective shots.

#4 Nitish Rana

Nitish Rana

The 24-year-old, Nitish Rana, was one of the key players in Mumbai Indian's victorious campaign last year. The youngster scored 333 runs in 12 innings at an average of 30.27.

The southpaw was roped in by KKR this season for a whopping Rs. 3.40 Cr. The Delhi-born batsman is the second highest run scorer for KKR with 127 runs in 4 matches at an average of 31.75 this season, which includes a match-defining knock of 59 off 35 balls against Delhi Daredevils on Monday.

He also showed his bowling skills in KKR’s first game against RCB as he picked up the prized scalps of Kohli and de Villiers in successive deliveries.

Given his rich vein of form with the bat, KKR would want him to continue producing match-winning performances.

#3 Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine

The 'mystery spinner' in the KKR ranks, Sunil Narine has been exceptional with the ball for KKR this season, and stands second in the leading wicket-takers list thus far. He also has the best economy rate in the tournament at 5.47 runs per over.

The West Indian has also been used as a destructive opener since last season. The Caribbean star started with a 19-ball 50 against RCB this season but has faltered with the bat in the next three outings as he just scored 22 runs in them and is expected to come good soon with the bat as well.

Given his skill to utterly flummox batsman of any class and his ability to stem the flow of the runs during the middle overs, he will surely be a player RR would be wary of.

#2 Andre Russell

Andre Russel

The big-hitting all-rounder from West Indies has been making headlines with his performances in this IPL. First with his unbeaten 88 against Chennai where he rescued his team from a grim situation of 89/5 to a score above 200. In the last match against Delhi Daredevils, he scored 41 off 11 balls and also took the important wicket of Shreyas Iyer.

Russell currently stands third in the runs tally this season behind only to Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson. He has amassed 153 runs at an average of 51. The all-rounder has hit the most number of sixes (19) thus far and is striking the ball at 239.

Given his ability to change the course of the match with his brilliance in three aspects of the game, Russell would be a key player for KKR to come on top against RR.

#1 Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson

The exceptionally talented young batsman from Kerala has been the star performer with the bat for Rajasthan Royals this season. The elegant right-hander has amassed 178 runs in 3 matches at an average of 89 and a strike rate of over 160. Currently, he is only behind Virat Kohli in the runs tally this season.

In their season opener against SRH, he made 49 off 42 balls and followed it up with a 22-ball 37 against his former franchise DD, and a match-defining knock of unbeaten 92 off 45 balls with 10 towering sixes against RCB.

With his skill to hit the ball with impeccable timing and his ability to adapt his batting style according to the situation, Samson has held the fort for Rajasthan Royals in the past and is expected to do the same throughout the tournament.