The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are gearing up to kick off their campaign in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in what promises to be an exciting clash at the iconic Eden Gardens. Set to take place on Saturday, this match marks the tournament's first double-header, adding to the anticipation and energy surrounding the event.

Match Preview

For KKR, this game holds particular significance as it will be their first under the leadership of Pat Cummins, the reigning ODI World Cup and WTC champion skipper. Cummins steps into the role of captaincy with a formidable team at his disposal, including the return of Shreyas Iyer, who missed out on IPL 2023 due to injury. Iyer's leadership skills and batting prowess are expected to provide a significant boost to the team's morale and performance.

Additionally, KKR boasts the talents of Rinku Singh, who showcased his capabilities both for the team and on the international stage in 2023. Singh's consistent performances have earned him a solid reputation, adding depth to KKR's batting lineup.

However, perhaps the most significant acquisition for KKR is the inclusion of Mitchell Starc, the Australian pace sensation. Starc's signing for a record-breaking amount of Rs 24.75 crore has raised expectations and excitement among fans. With his lethal pace and ability to swing the ball, Starc is poised to be a game-changer for KKR in IPL 2024.

On the other side, the Sunrisers Hyderabad are undergoing a transformation of their own. Led by Pat Cummins, SRH is determined to put their disappointing performance in the previous season behind them. The addition of players like Travis Head and Wanindu Hasaranga has injected fresh energy and talent into the team, raising hopes for a better showing this time around.

Head to Head Stats

The clash between KKR and SRH also marks a reunion of sorts for players who have previously faced each other in various cricketing arenas. The dynamics of such encounters often add an extra layer of intensity and competitiveness to the proceedings, making for riveting viewing for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

KKR Probable Playing XI

Venkatesh Iyer
Phil Salt (wk)
Shreyas Iyer (c)
Nitish Rana
Rinku Singh
Andre Russell
Ramandeep Singh
Sunil Narine
Mitchell Starc
Harshit Rana
Varun Chakravarthy

SRH Probable Playing XI

Mayank Agarwal
Travis Head
Rahul Tripathi
Aiden Markram
Heinrich Klaasen (wk)
Abdul Samad
Washington Sundar
Pat Cummins (c)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Mayank Markande
Umran Malik

For KKR, the return of Shreyas Iyer to the captaincy role signifies a resurgence of leadership and stability. Iyer's ability to marshal his troops effectively on the field, coupled with his astute cricketing acumen, makes him a valuable asset for the team. His presence not only strengthens the batting order but also provides invaluable guidance to the younger players within the squad.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of Mitchell Starc adds a new dimension to KKR's bowling attack. Starc's sheer pace and ability to generate movement off the pitch pose a formidable challenge for opposition batsmen. His knack for picking up crucial wickets in crucial junctures of the game can tilt the scales in KKR's favor, making him a key player to watch out for.

Fantasy Picks

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) : Phil Salt, Rinku Singh, Mitchell Starc

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) : Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins

On the other hand, SRH will be looking to turn their fortunes around under the leadership of Pat Cummins. Cummins, who has established himself as one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. His calm demeanor and tactical nous will be vital in guiding SRH through the ups and downs of the tournament.

The addition of Travis Head further strengthens SRH's batting lineup, providing them with the firepower needed to post competitive totals or chase down targets. Head's aggressive style of play and ability to score quickly make him a valuable asset in the T20 format, capable of turning the tide of the game single-handedly.

As the two teams prepare to face off at Eden Gardens, fans eagerly await a thrilling contest between bat and ball. With star players on both sides and the electrifying atmosphere of IPL cricket, this match promises to be a fitting start to what is sure to be an action-packed season of T20 cricket.

As the stage is set for an epic showdown between two of the IPL's most storied franchises, cricket fans around the world are eagerly anticipating a spectacle of high-quality cricketing action. With star-studded lineups, iconic venues, and the electrifying atmosphere synonymous with IPL cricket, this match promises to be a fitting start to what is sure to be another thrilling season of the world's premier T20 league.

Kolkata Knight Riders Full Squad

Philip Salt(w), Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer(c), Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Manish Pandey, Srikar Bharat, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Anukul Roy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Chetan Sakariya, Sherfane Rutherford, Vaibhav Arora, Dushmantha Chameera, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sakib Hussain, Suyash Sharma

Sunrisers Hyderabad Full Squad

Mayank Agarwal, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Washington Sundar, Abdul Samad, Pat Cummins(c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Umran Malik, Rahul Tripathi, Glenn Phillips, Jaydev Unadkat, Anmolpreet Singh, Upendra Yadav, Mayank Markande, Jhatavedh Subramanyan, Sanvir Singh, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Marco Jansen, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Maharaj Singh, Nitish Reddy