The stage is set for a high-stakes encounter between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as the IPL 2024 league stage concludes. This match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati will be played on May 19.
Rajasthan, who were once in contention for the top two spots, have hit a rough patch, losing their last four matches. A win here would be a much-needed confidence booster going into the playoffs.
On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders are the complete opposite. They've been the team to beat this season, already securing their playoff spot with a convincing win over Mumbai Indians (MI). KKR will be looking to end the league stage on a high and carry this momentum into the knockout stages.
Ahead of tonight's match, here are three significant milestones that could be reached in the RR vs. KKR fixture.
#1 Sunil Narine could become first player to take 200 wickets for a single franchise
KKR legend Sunil Narine finds himself on the cusp of a historic bowling milestone. The world-class mystery tweaker has been a cornerstone of KKR's success since his debut in 2012.
In his Kolkata career so far, Narine has bagged 196 wickets at an immaculate economy rate of 6.65 and a strike rate of 21.54. The 35-year-old is just four wickets away from creating history and becoming the first-ever bowler to take 200 wickets for an IPL franchise.
#2 Yuzvendra Chahal could be RR's highest wicket-taker ever
Yuzvendra Chahal, known for his deceptive leg-spin and sharp googlies, has been a mainstay in the IPL for over a decade and has become synonymous with wicket-taking prowess.
Ever since his move to the Rajasthan Royals in 2022, he has been RR's main weapon. In just 44 games for the franchise, the wily tweaker has scalped 65 times and is currently the joint-second-highest wicket-taker for them.
He is only one away from surpassing Siddharth Trivedi's tally of 65 wickets and is three away from matching legendary all-rounder Shane Watson's 67 scalps for RR.
#3 Sanju Samson could complete 300 sixes in T20 cricket
The RR captain has led from the front this season. Samson, who earned his call-up to the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024, has scored a total of 504 runs at a superb average and strike rate of 56.00 and 156.52, respectively.
The Kerala-born star has clubbed 23 sixes this season, which has taken his overall six-hitting tally in T20s to 297. Samson is just three more big hits away from completing his 300 sixes in the shortest format of the game.
In doing so, Samson will join the esteemed list of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Suryakumar Yadav, and KL Rahul who have achieved the feat.
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