IPL 2024: KKR vs PBKS Match 42 - Top 3 player battles to watch out for

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will face off in Match 42 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The two teams will meet for the first time this season and Kolkata’s Eden Gardens will host the affair on Friday, April 26. Will KKR continue their dominance or will PBKS find a way to get back on track?

Having won five out of seven matches, KKR are currently second in the points table. On the other hand, Punjab have lost six out of eight games and are in second-last position in the points table. A loss in the upcoming match will derail their playoff qualification chances, while a win will strengthen KKR's chances. 

KKR are coming on the back of a thrilling one-run win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), while PBKS suffered a three-wicket defeat against Gujarat Titans (GT). Although KKR are clear favourites to win, we can expect a serious fight from PBKS as they have done in almost every match, thanks to the heroics of Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma.

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Here are the top three player battles to watch out for in IPL 2024: KKR vs PBKS, Match 42:

3. Sunil Narine vs Kagiso Rabada

Sunil Narine is a big threat to PBKS. The KKR pinch-hitter has been in tremendous form, scoring 86 runs at a blistering strike rate of 176.54, including a hundred. The Southpaw will get off to a blazing start in the powerplay and that will completely change the tone of the game. 

However, Narine would have to deal with Punjab's ace pacer Kagiso Rabada before making a big impact. Despite conceding 23 runs off 13 balls, Rabada dismissed the Caribbean opener twice. This will be an interesting battle to watch out for as both players are in good form. 

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2. Liam Livingstone vs Varun Chakaravarthy 

Liam Livingstone can clear the ropes with ease and will be comfortable doing so on the batting-friendly surface of Eden Gardens. Although his current form with the bat is not promising, KKR will not leave him unmarked as they know the threat the Englishman can pose when he is on song.

Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy will be tasked to get rid of the big hitter. Livingstone will bat in the middle order and Chakaravarthy will look to give him a tough time in the middle with his leg-spinner deliveries. The two clashed over six balls and the KKR spinner had the last laugh as he conceded just seven runs and got him once.

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1. Andre Russell vs Harshal Patel 

Sunil Narine and Philip Salt will set the stage for a mammoth total and it will be Russell’s responsibility to deliver a stunning finish. The big man had scored a 25-ball 64 at this venue earlier this season and will look to replicate something similar in the upcoming match.

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Meanwhile, Russell will have an interesting match-up against Punjab's death-over specialist Harshal Patel. The right-arm pacer has a knack for picking up crucial wickets and is currently the third-highest wicket-taker in the series. Harshal, who dismissed Russell twice in 26 balls, will aim for a massive breakthrough for PBKS this time as well.