KKR vs RR Predicted Playing XI: Riyan Parag may replace Fazalhaq Farooqi with young overseas pacer, star spinner's return on cards after 100-run loss

KKR vs RR Predicted Playing XI: Riyan Parag may replace Fazalhaq Farooqi with young overseas pacer, star spinner's return on cards after 100-run loss
Rajasthan Royals' captain Riyan Parag (L) celebrates with teammate after taking the wicket of Mumbai Indians' Rohit Sharma during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on May 1, 2025.

Story Highlights:

KKR need a win to stay alive in the playoffs race.

Rajasthan Royals may look to try out new players against KKR.

Rain may play spoilsport at Eden Gardens.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) have already been knocked out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playoffs race after a demoralising 100-run loss to Mumbai Indians (MI). They will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. KKR still have a chance of making it into top four but they need to treat every game as a must-win contest. 

KKR are unlikely to make any changes to their combination after the convincing win against Delhi Capitals (DC). Their only injury concern is captain Ajinkya Rahane who injured his hand while fielding. On the eve of the match, Rovman Powell said that Rahane is likely to play against RR.

KKR Predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

Sunil Narine, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.

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With no hope of making it to the playoffs, RR may look to experiment. They have already lost the services of Sandeep Sharma and will look to give Akash Madhwal another chance. Fazalhaq Farooqi is having a lacklustre season. He may get replaced by South Africa's young left-arm pacer Kwena Maphaka. Also, Wanindu Hasaranga may replace Maheesh Theekshana considering matchups. Meanwhile, captian Sanju Samson continues to be out of action due to injury.

RR Predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (c), Shubham Dubey, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana/ Wanindu Hasaranga, Fazalhaq Farooqi/ Kwena Maphaka , Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal

KKR vs RR Pitch Report -

While the pitch is expected to assist spinners, there are high chances of rain playing spoilsport. Bowlers may struggle to use the wet ball and Eden Gardens can witness another high-scoring encounter.

KKR vs RR Full Squads:

Rajasthan Royals squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Tushar Deshpande, Kunal Singh Rathore, Kwena Maphaka, Ashok Sharma

Kolkata Knight Riders squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Manish Pandey, Mayank Markande, Ramandeep Singh, Luvnith Sisodia, Chetan Sakariya, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock, Moeen Ali, Spencer Johnson