IPL 2019: Match 43, KKR vs RR – Predicted top performer based on stats and records for Fantasy Cricket

Steve Smith didn’t get to play the erstwhile edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) owing to the ball-tampering scandal he got involved in last year. However, things have turned around drastically for the 29-year-old. The New South Wales-born batsman didn’t play one match for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in this IPL but has racked up runs pretty consistently with three half-centuries thus far.

To add to his delight, he was also given the mantle of captaincy after Ajinkya Rahane couldn’t quite step up and deliver. The responsibility rubbed off well on the experienced Smith and he has turned up with consecutive half-centuries, though one of them against the Delhi Capitals (DC) in Jaipur came in a losing cause. After Jos Buttler’s departure, Smith has batted at the top of the order.

The Royals are next scheduled to lock horns with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With the visitors requiring to win the next game in order to stay alive, RR will be looking up to Smith. The batter notched an unbeaten 73 when the Royals last met the Knight Riders earlier this month. KKR need to send the right-hander packing at the earliest.

Record against the opposition (KKR) in the IPL:

Smith has scored 214 runs in 8 innings at a decent average of 42.8 with 2 fifties to his credit.

In his last four Innings, Smith has scores of 73*, 9, 51* and 31

Record at the venue (Kolkata):

Smith has played three games in Kolkata, combining domestic and international cricket. He has scores of 14 and 9 against KKR in 2012 and 2017 respectively. In an ODI against India in 2017, Smith got 59.

Recent form:

In IPL 2019, Smith has scores of 50, 59*, 12, 15, 73*, 38, 28 and 20.

 Dream11 Scenario:

He costs 9.5 credits in the batsmen category and is picked by 92% of teams and his popularity doesn’t spring a surprise. In Dream XI, he can well be made the captain or vice-captain.

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