Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) will be locking horns with each other in the 39th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, April 29. KKR must be high on confidence ahead of this game as they are coming on the back of a huge win over RCB away from home. Skipper Nitish Rana will be hoping his team to continue the winning momentum and make a stronger case for themselves to reach the playoffs.
In the reverse fixture, KKR defeated Gujarat in the previous fixture earlier this season and will be keen to take another two points against them when Rinku Singh smashed 5 consecutive sixes. On the other hand, Gujarat Titans have ten points at the halfway mark and are currently placed second in the points table. Their batting looks formidable with both top order and middle order in great form, followed by an all-round bowling unit.
ALSO READ: Match 39 (KKR vs GT) – Playing XI And Fantasy XI Predictions
Skipper Hardik Pandya will be hoping his team to carry forward the momentum and register a win against Kolkata, especially after their last defeat at home against them. KKR have already defeated GT this season with Rinku Singh famously smashing five sixes in the last over to win the game in Ahmedabad.
Here are the anticipated player matchups:
#1 Shubman Gill vs Umesh Yadav
Shubman Gill plays the new ball pretty well and will have to face the Indian fast bowler, Umesh Yadav in powerplay overs. Both players have met each other three times, and Gill has scored 14 runs from eight balls without getting dismissed. Known for his ability to swing the new ball, Umesh is yet to take a powerplay wicket this season. Gill’s strike rate in this phase this season reads 148.80.
#2 Jason Roy vs Mohammed Shami
Jason Roy struck fiery half-centuries in the last couple of games and would not mind playing another impactful knock. However, he would be up against the thunderbolts of Mohammed Shami early on. Shami dismissed Roy in the only T20 meeting between the two. Moreover, six of Shami’s 10 wickets this season have come in powerplay. This battle would certainly be enticing.
#3 Rinku Singh vs Rashid Khan
Rinku Singh smoked five sixes in the last over as he helped KKR to register a stunning win over GT earlier this season. As he has struggled while pacing leg-spinners, Rashid Khan can be unleashed against him. Though Rashid has not been able to dismiss the southpaw, Rashid has conceded just 12 runs off 13 balls against him. Rinku’s overall IPL strike rate against leg spin reads 97.82.
