With both teams riding high on confidence, having secured four victories in their last five games, this clash promises to be an absolute thriller
Gear up for an electrifying clash as the high-flying Rajasthan Royals journey to the picturesque Eden Gardens to battle against the Kolkata Knight Riders in match 31 of IPL 2024!
With both teams riding high on confidence, having secured four victories in their last five games, this clash promises to be an absolute thriller. It's a battle between the top two teams on the points table, setting the stage for an epic encounter.
KKR, fresh off a commanding win against the Lucknow SuperGiants, is brimming with confidence. Their recent eight-wicket victory showcased their formidable form, and they'll be looking to carry that momentum into this crucial match.
On the other hand, RR had to sweat it out in a nail-biting contest against the Punjab Kings, ultimately emerging victorious by a narrow margin of three wickets. Their resilience and determination were on full display, setting the tone for what's sure to be an intense battle against the Knight Riders.
Here are some standout batting performances from matches between KKR and RR.
Shane Watson's jubilant celebration marked his remarkable achievement of scoring his second T20 century
Shane Watson's tenure with RR saw him emerge as one of the standout performers for the franchise. One of his memorable displays with the bat came during a clash against KKR in the 2015 IPL season. Batting first after winning the toss, Watson showcased his exceptional form at the top of the order. His unbeaten knock of 104 runs off 59 deliveries left a lasting impression. The Australian all-rounder's innings were characterised by sheer dominance, as he struck nine boundaries and cleared the fence on five occasions. Watson's brutal onslaught propelled Rajasthan Royals to a formidable total of 199 runs. Despite facing a strong challenge from the KKR, RR managed to defend their total and clinch victory by a margin of nine runs.
Shimron Hetmyer rushed to greet Jos Buttler with a warm bear hug following his remarkable century
In an intense battle, RR managed to defend their imposing total of 217 by just a whisker at the Brabourne Stadium. Jos Buttler emerged as the hero for the Royals with a stunning century, his second of the season. He displayed sheer dominance, particularly against Sunil Narine, while showcasing his prowess against the rest of the KKR attack. Buttler's scintillating innings of 103 runs off just 61 balls included nine boundaries and five towering sixes at an impressive strike rate 168.85. However, KKR fought valiantly in their chase but fell short by just seven runs in the end.
Yashasvi Jaiswal acknowledges the crowd after sealing victory with a boundary
Yashasvi Jaiswal's stellar performance last year made him a standout player for RR in the IPL, as he emerged as the highest run-scorer for the team with an impressive tally of 625 runs. His memorable knock of 98 not out against KKR at the Eden Gardens stands out as a defining moment. Jaiswal's breathtaking innings guided RR to a resounding nine-wicket victory in that match.
His aggressive approach saw him smashing 12 fours and five sixes off just 47 deliveries, boasting an astonishing strike rate 208.51. During this innings, he shattered several records, including the most runs by a single batter in the first over of an IPL inning with 28 runs and the fastest-ever IPL half-century achieved in just 13 balls.
It was a bittersweet moment for Dinesh Karthik, whose valiant effort of an unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls went in vain as KKR fell short against RR. His innings, embellished with nine sixes and seven fours with a staggering strike rate of 194, were a testament to his resilience and skill. In a remarkable display of power-hitting, Karthik plundered 55 runs off the last five overs, taking full advantage of the Royals' bowling attack. He unleashed a flurry of sixes, including three off Jaydev Unadkat in the final over, and made Oshane Thomas pay dearly with a towering six in the 17th over. Even Jofra Archer couldn't escape his wrath, as Karthik dispatched the last two balls of his spell for maximums. In the end, the Royals managed to chase the target of 175 with three wickets.
Dinesh Karthik acknowledges the crowd's applause as he raises his bat to celebrate reaching fifty in style
Former captain Sourav Ganguly showcased his batting prowess with a magnificent, stroke-filled innings of 75 not out off just 50 deliveries in a memorable encounter against RR. Tasked with chasing down 133 for victory, Ganguly led from the front with the bat, guiding KKR to a commanding win. Despite Brendon McCullum's and Chris Gayle's early dismissals, Ganguly remained unfazed as he orchestrated the run chase brilliantly. His innings were adorned with 11 exquisite boundaries and two towering sixes, displaying his vintage flair and dominance at the crease.
Alongside him, Cheteshwar Pujara contributed a vital 45 not out of 38 deliveries, forming a formidable partnership that steered KKR to victory without further hiccups. The unbeaten partnership of 111 runs between Sourav Ganguly and Cheteshwar Pujara remains etched in memory as one of the finest for the third wicket for KKR and stands as the fifth-highest for the third wicket against RR, underscoring Ganguly's pivotal role in leading his team to victory on that memorable day.
Gautam Gambhir elegantly guides the ball through the offside, showcasing his impeccable timing and technique
Gautam Gambhir showcased his batting prowess during the IPL 2011 season in yet another display of left-handed captaincy brilliance. Leading KKR in a clash against RR in Jaipur, Gambhir played a scintillating innings, scoring an unbeaten 75 off just 44 balls. Facing a challenging target of 160 runs, KKR encountered an early setback with the dismissal of Manvinder Bisla for just one run. However, Gambhir found a solid ally in Jacques Kallis, who remained unbeaten on 80 off 65 balls. Together, they stitched an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 152 runs, guiding KKR to a comprehensive victory.
While Kallis played the anchor role, Gambhir was the aggressor, smashing 11 boundaries and a six in his dominant innings. Their unbeaten partnership of 152 runs is the highest for the second wicket against RR and the second-highest for the second wicket for KKR in IPL history. Moreover, it ranks as the third-highest partnership for any wicket for KKR and the fourth-highest against RR in IPL contests.
