Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals: IPL betting preview, tip & TV details

TV: BT Sport 3 / Star Gold, 3.30pm Thursday

It is now or never for both Kolkata and Rajasthan in the race for the IPL playoff places and the Royals go into the crucial clash in better nick.

The Knight Riders have been in freefall, losing their last five matches, and, like Rajasthan, they cannot afford to lose more ground in pursuit of a top-four berth.

Central to their demise has been underperforming batsmen. Skipper Dinesh Karthik has been unimpressive at the crease since getting the call ahead of talented youngster Rishabh Pant in India’s World Cup squad.

More concerning, though, have been the totals posted by their leading batsmen. Both of Kolkata’s opening duo have reached double figures only once in their run of five losses.

Sunil Narine has not made a half-century in the IPL this year and has faltered against stronger bowlers, posting paltry scores of two and six in their meetings with Chennai Super Kings.

Jofra Archer heads the betting to be Rajasthan’s top bowler in this clash but Shreyas Gopal can unsettle the Kolkata openers and represents better value.

Gopal is his side’s leading wicket-taker in the competition this term with 12 and dislodged Delhi's top two, Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan, last time out.

Recommendation
S Gopal top Rajasthan Royals bowler
1pt 18-5 Betfred

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport