Next KKR IPL Match: KKR vs PBKS A Blockbuster Expected

The next KKR IPL match is scheduled against their old rivals Punjab Kings. The Eden Gardens Stadium will host this contest on Friday evening ( Apr 26), with more than 60,000 people supporting the home side in the ground.

KKR vs PBKS is a blockbuster clash in IPL, which involves the rivalry of Bollywood superstars Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta, who are the owners of these franchises.

KKR vs PBKS holds more significance for the visitors because they are in the second half of the points table, and things could go out of their hands if they lose this contest.

Their batting was again exposed in the last game against Gujarat Titans, and their skipper Shikhar Dhawan's absence make things worse.

Next KKR IPL match, on the other hand claimed a 1 run victory against RCB at the same venue a few nights ago which should have increased the morale of the team.

Next KKR IPL Match: Punjab Losing Close Games, A Cause Of Concern

Punjab Kings have always been an entertaining franchise that plays their cricket with heart and with bold intent but fails to cross the finishing lines on numerous occasions. 

They have never won this Championship in sixteen years, and the wait seems to be longer for their admirers.

They made it to the final in the IPL 2014 under the leadership of Geroge Bailey, and since then, it's been inconsistent Punjab that we all know, which blows hot and cold,

Even this year, there were so many games which they should have won but eventually ended up losing them. A close loss against Mumbai by nine runs in the last over and two two-run defeats against SRH.

Such games haunt any team so much that they hardly recover from them. Cricket is a combination of skill and holding your nerves to succeed in crunch situations, which batters of the Kings failed to do on various occasions.

Next KKR IPL Match: Players To Watch Out For

Following players from both sides will be crucial in getting two points for their sides respectively.

Sunil Narine

The IPL 2024 has been a revolution for Sunil Narine, the batter who has been unstoppable. There was never a doubt about his ability as a dasher at the top, someone who can tonk the ball and make decent cameos in the powerplay.

This year, the left-hander has shown the world that he is not just a powerplay batter but can play longer innings and, according to the game's situation, just like a proper batter.

The Caribbean bloke has added 286 runs in seven innings at a blistering strike rate of 144.

The 35-year-old Trinidadian will be in action again in front of a jam-packed crowd of Kolkata, and the hope is high that he will give his side a rollicking start once again in the powerplay.

He has the potential to win the game for his side in the first six overs alone with the bat, which would put KKR much ahead in the game.

Andre Russell

KKR has revolved around Caribbean flair, and these guys have been solid contributors to their success for the last few years.

Andre Russel is the big man who has been with KKR for over a decade. Even in the Championships, they won in IPL 2012 and 2014, he played an integral role in those campaigns.

Russel has been the go-to bowler for Shreyas Iyer in this edition as he has added so many weapons in his arsenal, be it the yorker or slower dipping into the surface delivery.

He has bowled all tricky overs for KKR, be it the last over of powerplay or at the death. These are tough overs to bowl and batters do not give easy breather to the bowlers in this cruel format.

The batting ability of this mighty bloke is not concealed from anyone, and he keeps delivering for his side repeatedly, coming to bat in the lower order. He is most likely to showcase his ability once again on Friday evening.

Harshal Patel

Haarshal Patel earlier, when came to the cricketing scene, was known for his variation in the T20 format specially the dipping slower delivery, which seemed very effective.

Later, the batters decoded his slower one, and he received a lot of bashing in this format.

He has been a standout performer for Punjab Kings this season, having 13 wickets, and he is next to great Jasprit Bumrah in the purple cap race. His economy is slightly on the higher side, around 9.5, but the times in which he bowls this could be acceptable.

The right-arm fast-medium quick has shown his skill set in the death overs for his side, and he could be the outside choice for team India in the coming T20 World Cup as the slot for number two and number three pacers in the national team other than Jasprit Bumrah are still available.

KKR vs PBKS Match Prediction

The next KKR IPL match is a cracker of a contest against Punjab Kings. KKR vs PBKS could go down to the wire, and will be an exciting clash for the fans coming to the ground. KKR has been playing much more positive cricket than the visitors, so they will always be ahead in KKR vs PBKS.

The Men in Purple won their last game against RCB and are already confident, whereas the Men in Red struggled in their previous encounter against Gujarat.

The home side would be more comfortable getting two points from this fixture and strengthening their position more in the points table.

KKR hopes to get more out of Mitchell Starc, who has been hammered in every game by different batters.

He is a quality fast bowler, and if he comes back into the form, KKR will be a force to reckon with for the rest of the tournament.

After losing this game, Punjab might have to pack their bags as far as the playoffs are concerned and would play the remainder of the tournament as a formality.

Based on next KKR IPL match analysis, KKR seems poised for victory against PBKS. They've been playing positively, coming off a win, and are banking on Mitchell Starc's potential resurgence. PBKS, on the other hand, has been struggling. So, KKR is likely to come out on top in the upcoming match.