The IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 will be a high-octane game of the entire Indian Premier League 2024 season. Qualifier 1 will be played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 21 at Ahmedabad Stadium.
Both SRH and KKR have an exceptional track record this IPL season where KKR won 9 out of their 14 league games while SRH won 8 of their 14 league games. The winner of this game will directly qualify for the IPL 2024 finals while the losers will be granted another chance to qualify for the final.
The loser of the Qualifier 1 will face the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 which will decide the second team for the final game.
Highlights:
- Sunil Narine has yet to score a run in an IPL game in Ahmedabad, having been dismissed thrice on ducks.
- In the four IPL matches Andre Russell has played in Ahmedabad, he hasn’t picked up a wicket.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar has bagged nine wickets in three games in Ahmedabad and conceded at less than run-a-ball.
Players to Watch Out For in IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 KKR vs SRH
1. Andre Russell
Has dismissed Abhishek twice in 10 balls and conceded only 11 runs. Russell hasn’t enjoyed a high-scoring rate in Ahmedabad, striking at just under 140 in four innings at the venue. SRH bowlers will look to force him to hit towards the long square boundaries.
He has scored 222 runs in 13 matches, averaging 31.7 per match. He has also taken 15 wickets at an average of 17.4.
2. Sunil Narine
Has played some aggressive knocks and taken wickets this season. The West Indian has been amazing at the top of the order and has given his team flying starts. Even with the ball Narine has taken wickets and also been economical.
Narine has scored 461 runs in 13 matches, averaging 38.4 per match and has taken 15 wickets at an average of 20.8.
3. Venkatesh Iyer
Giving KKR the solidity with the bat, Venkatesh Iyer has already had a great season. The 29-year-old hasn’t let the attacking instincts of KKR die down even if they have lost a wicket. If Venkatesh Iyer can put in a few more similar performances, KKR will stand atop the podium for the third time.
Venkatesh played 12 matches for KKR this season and scored 267 runs at an average of 33.38.
4. Heinrich Klaasen
South African wicket-keeper and batter Heinrich Klaasen has been one of the most effective middle-order batters this season for SRH. The 31-year-old has the ability to blaze any bowling attack with the bat on his day and will be a key player in the first playoff game.
Klaasen has scored 381 runs in 13 matches, averaging 42.3.
5. Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma
They are among the rare few batters who have enjoyed an upper hand in the battle against Sunil Narine. The veteran spinner could be held back to be utilised in the middle and late overs in a bid to control Heinrich Klassen, who enjoys a favourable matchup against the other KKR spinner – Varun Chakravarthy.
Head has accumulated 533 runs in 12 matches, with an impressive average of 48.5 while Abhishek Sharma scored 467 runs in 13 matches at an average of 38.92.
6. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
A big plus for Hyderabad has been that Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who opens the attack, had been off-colour initially but has found his mojo in the second half of the league. He has snapped nine wickets in three games in Ahmedabad and conceded at less than run-a-ball.
Bhuvi has played 13 matches in IPL 2024 and bagged 11 wickets at an economy of 9.12.
IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 KKR vs SRH Weather Report
The weather forecast for Qualifier 1 is for more of the same sweltering heat, ensuring the matches proceed without interruption. According to the local Meteorological Department, the weather will be ‘hot with plenty of sun’ – a massive understatement of the season.
What to Expect in Narendra Modi Stadium Weather Today?
It is not a do-or-die game but neither team wants to be in that situation as a defeat will put them there. With the pitch expected to assist the batters, it will be a high-scoring game with the captain winning the toss choosing to field, as most captains have done this season.
Can we Expect Rain at the Narendra Modi Stadium?
According to AccuWeather predictions, there is no chance of rain during the Qualifier 1 clash. However, dew might play a role during the second innings due to humidity.
On a good batting pitch, it’s expected to only be raining sixes and boundaries at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The temperature is expected to be around 37-31 degree Celsius.
IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 KKR vs SRH Probable 11
Kolkata Knight Riders
Rahamanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi/Nitish Rana, Shreyas Iyer (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy
Impact substitute: Vaibhav Arora
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Rahul Tripathi, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins (c), Sanvir Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth
Impact substitute: T Natarajan
ALSO READ: Qualifier 1 KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction, Playing 11, Pitch Report
