KKR vs RCB Match Prediction: Who will win today's IPL 2024 match?

There was once a time when Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn picked the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) apart in the powerplay. That was back in 2017 when Narine was in what appeared to be his heyday as an opener.

Seven years on, Narine seems to have truly hit his prime at the top of the order. RCB will know that, with the West Indian having taken them to the cleaners at the Chinnaswamy Stadium earlier in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). They will also know that his partner, Phil Salt, matches and maybe even surpasses Lynn for intent and destructive ability.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have ridden on the exploits of their openers to reach the second spot in the standings, with four wins from six matches. Shreyas Iyer and company are on the back of a defeat to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a game in which Narine smacked a century and picked up two wickets, but they're still in a comfortable position on the table.

Kolkata are in the middle of a prolonged home run at the Eden Gardens, and its short boundaries and friendly surface will welcome RCB, who haven't been able to get their campaign up and running. Bengaluru are on a five-match losing skid, and none of their losses have inspired even the slightest bit of confidence.

Can KKR continue their good overall form? Or will RCB find a way to get back in the win column?

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IPL 2024, KKR vs RCB Win Probability: Knight Riders favorites by miles

It doesn't take a genius to know that KKR are the favorites for this contest, by miles. They are better placed in all departments, and if things go to plan, they should be able to get past RCB by a convincing margin.

Narine and Salt form a deadly pairing at the top of the order, and Bengaluru's bowlers haven't turned up at all. Without a wrist-spinner in the middle overs and any designated death bowlers, RCB might be in all sorts of trouble against an aggressive batting lineup.

Moreover, Glenn Maxwell is still unavailable, and RCB's ability to handle spin has thus taken a major hit. Will Jacks has slotted in at No. 3, but Bengaluru need more reinforcement in both departments to stand a chance of winning.

RCB's only route to victory will be to hope that they win the toss and chase, after which Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Jacks somehow manage to put the batting unit on their back.

While that possibility cannot be ruled out, it's safe to assume that KKR will be able to get the job done. If they don't, they'll be bitterly disappointed.

Prediction: KKR to win Match 36 of IPL 2024.