Royals vs Knight Riders: Every team have played their first game in the 18th edition of the IPL, since KKR, the defending champions, played the kick-off game against RCB on the 22nd of this month. The defending champions are yet to secure their first win of the season.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals led by the new stand-in skipper Riyan Parag, failed to win a huge scoring game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad who once again scored the second-highest total in the history of the IPL.
The two teams will now square off in the neutral venue of Guwahati Stadium, as the Royals will be using it as their second home ground. Parag will be leading a team for the first time in front of his home crowd, while KKR will aim for a winning momentum after their loss in the opener.
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Royals vs Knight Riders: Possible Changes to Kolkata Knight Riders 11
The Knight Riders are the defending champions from last season of 2024, though this time they are playing under a new coach-captain duo. CSK and MI are the only two teams to have won consecutive trophies in successive season, CSK back in 2010 and 2011 and MI in 2019 and 2020.
KKR will look to be the third team to have achieved this same feat under Ajinkya Rahane, after Shreyas Iyer the title-winning skipper from IPL 2024 was not retained for the season. Losing the first game against RCB what possible changes could Dwayne Bravo consider for the KKR 11?
Royals vs Knight Riders – Possible Changes:
1. Anrich Nortje for Spencer Johnson
Nortje the South African speedster has recovered from his injury and was placed as a reserve in the first match against RCB. Australian Johnson was brought into the side considering the lanky left-armer’s similarity with Starc, though his lack of pace and sub-continent conditions would be undesirable in the sub-continent.
Nortje might be leading KKR’s pace deck in the next game against the Royals, who are a very convincing batting side as they scored a huge 242 in the first game.
2. Chetan Sakariya for Vaibhav Arora
Vaibhav Arora who was brought into the team as an Impact sub actually could not make any impact, as he was manhandled by Phil Salt. Chetan Sakariya who replaced injured Umran Malik in the KKR squad, might be considered as a likely impact in case they need to bring in someone with the new ball.
Royals vs Knight Riders: Possible Changes for Rajasthan Royals 11
Though RR lost their opening game, they seemed to be performing overwhelmingly well in their IPL 2025 opener against SRH as the two teams together scored 528 runs across the two innings they featured in.
Royals vs Knight Riders: Possible Changes:
1. Wanindu Hasaranga for Fazalhaq Farooqi
Rajasthan Royals might have parted with former spin duo Ashwin and Chahal, but have also backed with replacements Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahesh Theekshana. Hasaranga could not feature in the first game, though Farooqi might be replaced by Hasaranga in the Royals playing 11.
2. Akash Madhwal for Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer gave away the most costly spell in the history of the IPL, as Archer gave away 76 runs in his 4 overs which surpassed Basil Thampi’s previous undesired record of most runs gave away in a match (72 runs in 4 overs).
Akash Madhwal the Indian pacer who showed his calibre playing for the Mumbai Indians, Madhwal might replace Archer in the Royals playing 11.
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