The legendary Eden Gardens is all set to witness another electrifying Indian Premier League fixture as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lock horns with a rejuvenated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the third match of IPL 2024. The Saturday night showdown promises to be a cracker of a game, under the floodlights of the iconic venue in Kolkata.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, under the fresh leadership of ICC World Cup 2023 winning captain, Pat Cummins, seeks to outperform their previous season debacle where they finished last on the points table. With a scant two victories in fourteen matches, SRH had a forgettable IPL 2023 campaign. However, with the injection of new blood in the form of Cummins, Travis Head, and the dynamic Wanindu Hasaranga, Sunrisers have refurbished their lineup, signifying a stronger contention this time around.
The Kolkata Knight Riders aren’t leaving any stone unturned either, with their charismatic leader Shreyas Iyer returning to captaincy after a gap. Alongside Iyer, the Englishman Phil Salt comes with a string of high-scoring performances in T20Is, and Mitchell Starc’s return to the IPL further bolsters KKR’s already formidable squad. The Knight Riders are undeniably among the teams to watch out for in the season.
The stage is set for the 3rd T20 match of the IPL 2024:
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Date & Time: Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 PM IST with the Toss at 7:00 PM.
The game will be broadcasted live on Star Sports and streamed on the JioCinema website and app, giving fans a variety of platforms to catch the action live.
As fantasy cricket enthusiasts gear up for this encounter, the Dream11 team predictions are in high demand. The careful selection of wicketkeepers, batters, all-rounders, and bowlers can be the difference between success and failure. Here are some top picks to consider:
Wicketkeepers:
– Heinrich Klaasen (C) has been in stellar form, despite SRH’s dismal performance last season, scoring 448 runs at an impressive strike rate of 177.07. His current status as one of the world’s top T20 batters, coupled with his wicketkeeping points, makes him an invaluable pick.
– Phil Salt’s explosive batting at the top can create opportunities for high fantasy points through his aggressive play.
Batters:
– Travis Head, Shreyas Iyer (VC), and Rinku Singh should be strong considerations for their proven track record and recent form.
All-rounders:
– Andre Russell’s power-hitting and potential for quick wickets can rake in substantial points.
– Aiden Markram and Washington Sundar offer balanced skills with both bat and ball, making them smart picks for any fantasy league side.
Bowlers:
– Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience and ability to swing the ball can trouble batsmen, especially in Kolkata’s conditions.
– The pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins could provide lethal opening spells and are likely to pop up in wickets columns.
Noteworthy Mentions:
– Shreyas Iyer is coming off an injury but the prolific batsman had previously amassed 401 runs in the 2022 IPL edition and has shown good touch in domestic cricket leading up to the tournament.
– Heinrich Klaasen, with his recent feats, is impossible to overlook, given his transformation into a T20 powerhouse.
Predicted Playing XIs:
KKR are expected to field the following players: 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’s probable lineup is anticipated to be: Mayank Agarwal, Travis Head, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad, Washington Sundar, Pat Cummins (c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, Umran Malik.
As anticipation builds for this marquee matchup, fans are eager to see if SRH’s strategic overhaul will pay dividends against a KKR side that appears more resolute and star-studded than ever. The grandeur of Eden Gardens serves as the perfect backdrop for what is poised to be a memorable encounter in the IPL 2024 saga.
