In Qualifier 1 of IPL 2024, the high-flying Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the unpredictable Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), both teams known for their power-hitting, will clash on Tuesday in Ahmedabad with the aim of outmuscling each other.
KKR were the first team to secure a playoff spot this year, while SRH boosted their chances significantly by defeating the Punjab Kings by four wickets on Sunday, finishing second with 17 points, ahead of the Rajasthan Royals.
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Both teams have enjoyed a brief break due to incessant rains affecting their matches over the past 10 days. However, the quick turnaround for this high-stakes playoff game presents a unique challenge. KKR and SRH will have just a day to travel across thousands of kilometers to compete in the first half of the playoffs, having both played on the final day of the league stage on Sunday.
SRH may feel more confident after their comprehensive win over PBKS and having recent game-time experience. In contrast, KKR's last complete game was on May 11. Shreyas Iyer's KKR had a four-game winning streak before rain washed away their last two league games.
As table-toppers with 19 points, KKR will need to fill the significant void left by their second-highest run-scorer and wicketkeeper Phil Salt (435 runs), who has departed for national duties with England ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Salt had formed a formidable partnership with Sunil Narine (461 runs) at the top, and KKR benefited greatly from their aggressive batting approach, supported by a strong middle order, despite skipper Iyer's (287 runs) lack of major impact so far.
The rain-affected match against RR denied KKR the opportunity to test Rahmanullah Gurbaz as a replacement opener with Narine, which could have addressed some concerns.
For KKR, Nitish Rana's form provides additional stability to the middle order, while a fiery Andre Russell promises vital runs as a finisher.
In many ways, SRH matches KKR's firepower on paper, which adds to the allure of this contest.
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have both achieved remarkable strike rates exceeding 200, inspiring their side to break several records. The Australian left-hander Head has redefined batting aggressiveness, scoring 533 runs, including one century and four fifties. His fearless approach has also elevated the performance of young Indian batter Abhishek, who has smashed 41 sixes this IPL — 10 more than his combined tally from the previous six seasons.
SRH has also addressed some long-standing questions. At No. 3, they have found a dependable option in Rahul Tripathi, who can accelerate the innings or anchor it during challenging spells from the bowlers. Additionally, Heinrich Klaasen has rediscovered his form after a mid-tournament slump, evidenced by his crucial 42-run knock against PBKS, making SRH even more formidable.
In Ahmedabad, as demonstrated in last year's World Cup final, teams batting second have had more success, winning four out of six completed games, with only two teams successfully defending their scores. Despite both teams favoring a high-scoring style, this venue has seen only two 200-plus scores in 12 innings, suggesting bowlers will also play a crucial role.
KKR's bowling attack features a strong spin line-up supporting their fast bowlers led by Mitchell Starc, while SRH's pace attack, spearheaded by skipper Pat Cummins, has consistently delivered cohesive performances.
In their only encounter earlier this season, KKR edged out SRH by four runs in a high-scoring match, setting the stage for an exciting playoff clash.
(With PTI inputs)
