KKR runs into RR in must-win game

Kolkata Knight Riders face must-win match against Rajasthan Royals, while RR looks to spoil their chances.

The task is simple but a herculean one for Kolkata Knight Riders.

The defending champion, with nine points from 11 outings, need to win its remaining four matches to qualify for the IPL play-offs. The first of the four tests will be against Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday.

RR, already out of the reckoning, could prove dangerous for KKR.

However, KKR can take heart from its improved showing and a much-needed win against Delhi Capitals. The Ajinkya Rahane-led side, which has been having troubles because of its below-par batting, should be happy to see handy contributions from multiple batters against DC.

KKR will hope that its top run-getter Rahane recovers from a hand injury quickly. Last match’s top-scorer Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rinku Singh and Andre Russell also need to step up. It’s high time Venkatesh Iyer made another substantial contribution.

KKR’s bowling looks set with pacers Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana and spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy handling their responsibilities well.

Outplayed by Mumbai Indians in its previous outing, RR will rely on its long batting line-up that – including prolific scorer Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Rana, Shimron Hetmyer and teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi and excluding an injured Sanju Samson – to avenge the defeat and redeem some pride.