IPL 2024 KKR vs PBKS: Match 42 Toss Update Dream11 Predictions, Fantasy Tips, Teams, Pitch Report & Top Pick

KKR vs PBKS, IPL 2024: Dream11 Predictions for the 42nd Match [AP Photos]

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be playing against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 

42nd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). This match will be played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 26th at 7:30 PM IST. 

Ahead of the game, here is a look at the Dream11 predictions, fantasy tips, pitch report, the top player picks, and the best-predicted XIs for the fantasy contests of the match. 

KKR vs PBKS Toss Updates

Punjab Kings have won the toss and they will field first.

Kolkata Knight Riders Changes: Dusmantha Chameera replaces Mitchell Starc.

Punjab Kings Changes: Liam Livingstone misses out, Jonny Bairstow comes in.

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Eden Gardens Kolkata Pitch Report For KKR Vs PBKS IPL 2024 Match

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KKR vs PBKS Head-to-head Stats

The Kolkata Knight Riders and the Punjab Kings have played 32 games against each other. The KKR have their nose ahead in this face-off as they have won 21 games, while PBKS have won 11. 

The last time these two teams faced off was in IPL 2023 at the Eden Gardens. Punjab batted first in the game and posted a total of 179 in their 20 overs. Shikhar Dhawan was the highest scorer for them, with 57 off 47. 

Nitish Rana and Andre Russell led KKR's chase, with Rinku Singh chipping in with a short cameo. The Kolkata-based franchise chased down the target in the last over, losing only five wickets. 

KKR will try to win this game to maintain its position at the top of the table. On the other hand, the Kings will be looking to bring back some sanity into their campaign with a win in this game.

KKR vs PBKS Pitch Report

The wicket at Eden Gardens has been good for batting. In the four matches played here, 200-plus totals have been achieved six times. So, the batters will enjoy the surface, and we can expect to see another high-scoring match.

Eden Gardens Ground Stats (IPL 2024)

Matches: 4
Matches won batting first: 2
Matches won batting second: 2 

Average first innings total: 203
Average second innings total: 203
Highest Total Recorded: 224/8 by Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders
Lowest Total Recorded: 161/7 by Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Fantasy value from the pitch report

• The wicket at the Eden Gardens will act in favour of the batters. In the four games that have been played at the venue, 200-plus venues have been crossed 75% of the time. So, picking up a batting-heavy fantasy XI will be the best way to go for this game. 
• In the case of the bowlers, death-over specialists might be rewarding choices. 

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KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Cricket Tips

Kolkata Knight Riders Heavy Fantasy XI

• Sunil Narine has been KKR's MVP in IPL 2024. He has delivered for the team with both the bat and the ball and will be a must-pick for the game. Besides Narine, Phil Salt and Shreyas Iyer could be good picks. 
• In the bowling department, Harshit Rana has done well in the tournament. Rana and Varun Charkravarthy could be the safe choices for the fantasy contests. 

Punjab Kings Heavy Fantasy XI

• Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma have been the best batters for the team in IPL 2024. Both will be the safest picks from the PBKS team. In addition to the two, you can also opt for Liam Livingstone, who has yet to deliver with the bat in the tournament. 
• Kagiso Rabada has been a regular wicket-taker for PBKS. Rabada should be an obvious choice from the PBKS bowling. Alongside Rabada, Harshal Patel and Arshdeep Singh could be the decisive choices. 

KKR vs PBKS Winner Prediction

The Kolkata Knight Riders have been in great form in the tournament. They have looked balanced, and it will be a tough challenge for the Punjab Kings to overhaul the home team.

KKR vs PBKS Top Player Picks

Sunil Narine has been in good form in the IPL 2024 [AP Photos]

Sunil Narine (KKR)

• IPL 2024 Stats: 286 Runs and 9 Wicket in 7 Matches
• The West Indian all-rounder has been in decent form withe both the bat and the ball in IPL 2024. He is scoring quick runs at the top of the order and also bowling economically in the middle-overs making him a high priority choice for the fantasy contests. 

Phil Salt (KKR)

• IPL 2024 Stats: 249 Runs in 7 Matches
• The English opener has looked in good touch with the bat in IPL 2024. Phil Salt has good numbers at the venue and will be an important pick for the fantasy contests of the match. 

Shashank Singh (PBKS)

• IPL 2024 Stats: 195 Runs in 8 Matches
• The Indian middle-order batter has been the biggest strength of the PBKS batting. Shashank Singh has shown great maturity and has played the situation in most matches. With the top-order of the PBKS not doing much, Shashank is an essential pick for the fantasy contests. 

Liam Livingstone (PBKS)

• IPL 2024 Stats: 111 Runs in 6 Matches
• The English all-rounder has not been in the greatest batting form in IPL 2024. But Liam Livingstone is a match-winner and can do that with the bat and ball. However, the wicket at the Eden Gardens might suit his batting style, and he could regain his form in this game. 

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KKR vs PBKS Differential Picks

Andre Russell (KKR)

• IPL 2024 Stats: 155 Runs and 9 Wickets in 7 Matches
• The Jamaican all-rounder has done a decent job in the opportunities he has had in IPL 2024. Andre Russell has scored runs with a strike rate of 184.52 and bowled some efficient overs in the death phase for his team. Russell enjoys playing at the Eden Gardens and often comes with some match-winning performances. So, he will be the differential choice for the game. 

Ashutosh Sharma has been an asset for the PBKS batting [AP Photos]

Ashutosh Sharma (PBKS)

• IPL 2024 Stats: 159 Runs in 5 Innings
• This young Indian lower-order batter has been one of the best finds of IPL 2024. Ashutosh Sharma has shown great nerve and composure under pressure while chasing big targets. He has the aggressive intent to be a game-changer in any march situation. Sharma's batting order is a bit too deep, which is why he is in the differential section for the game. 

KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Expert Advice

Given how the wicket has behaved in the tournament and the strengths of the two teams, a 1-2-4-4 or a 1-3-4-3 combination could be beneficial 

KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Team for Head-to-Head/Small Leagues

Wicketkeeper: Phil Salt
Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, Jonny Bairstow
All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Sam Curran
Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana

Captain: Sunil Narine
Vice-captain: Sam Curran

Kolkata Knight Riders: 6 Players; Punjab Kings: 5 Players

KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Team for Winner Takes All/Grand Leagues

Wicketkeepers: Jitesh Sharma
Batters: Venkatesh Iyer, Ashutosh Sharma, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Jonny Bairstow
All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Sam Curran
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Hapreet Brar

Captain: Jonny Bairstow
Vice-captain: Andre Russell

Kolkata Knight Riders: 5 Players; Punjab Kings: 6 Players