IPL 2021, Match 54: KKR vs RR, Stats Preview: Player records and approaching milestones

Kolkata Knight Riders will have everything to play for as they take on Rajasthan Royals in match 54 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. This will be the last league-stage game for both sides and the stakes are incredibly high. Currently placed fourth in the team standings, KKR can consolidate their position with a victory.

However, they must also look to enhance their net run rate as Mumbai Indians, who’ll play their last league-stage game on Friday (October 7), will have a clear picture of what they require to pip KKR. On the other hand, RR’s hopes of qualifying for playoffs are all but over. Mathematically, however, they still can go through. If they beat KKR by a massive margin and KKR then thrash MI, the Men in Pink might see them in the top four.

Although the equation is a bit complicated, cricket is a game of uncertainties. Hence, both teams have many reasons to unleash their best at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. KKR will definitely take the field as favorites as momentum is on their side. However, RR have some T20 stalwarts in the ranks who can dent KKR’s plans.

Meanwhile, let’s look at important stats and numbers ahead of the 54th game of the Indian Premier League 2021:

Head to Head record: KKR are just a tad ahead of RR in terms of head-to-head record in IPL. In 24 clashes, KKR have won 12 games while RR emerged winners 11 times. One of their encounters got washed out due to rain.

6 – Since 2018, Kolkata Knight Riders have won 6 games out of 8 matches they have played against Rajasthan Royals.

4 – Chris Morris needs four wickets to become the South African with most IPL wickets. Dale Steyn currently leads the chart with 97 wickets.

27– Eoin Morgan needs 27 runs to become the 13th player to complete 1000 runs for KKR in IPL.

3 – Dinesh Karthik needs 3 dismissals to become the second wicketkeeper to inflict 150 dismissals in IPL. MS Dhoni (159) is currently the lone holder of the record.

7 – Andre Russell is 7 hits away from completing 150 sixes in IPL.

74 – Sunil Narine can complete 1000 IPL runs for KKR. He’s 74 runs away from the milestone. Narine would become the first all-rounder to score over 1000 runs and take over 100 wickets for KKR in IPL.

1 – Mustafizur Rahman needs one more wicket to become the second bowler after Rashid Khan to take 50 T20 wickets in 2021.26

26 – David Miller is 26 runs shy of completing 2000 runs in the Indian Premier League.

2– Shreyas Gopal is two wickets away from completing 50 wickets in IPL.

83 – Glenn Phillips needs 83 runs to become the second-highest run-getter in T20 cricket in 2021. While he has slammed 1281 T20 runs this year, Babar Azam is ahead of him, with 1363 runs.

3 – Sanju Samson has scored only 47 runs off 59 balls against Sunil Narine in IPL. He has been dismissed thrice by spinners.