With the league stage of IPL 2024 concluded on May 19, cricket fans eagerly anticipate the thrilling playoff matches ahead. The playoffs kick off with a high-stakes Qualifier 1 match on Tuesday (May 21), featuring top-placed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The winner of this match will secure a direct spot in the final, while the loser will get another chance by facing the winner of the Eliminator match between Rajasthan Royals (RR)and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), scheduled for Wednesday.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head into Qualifier 1 facing challenges with their opening partnerships, which have been vital to their success this season. The exit of Phil Salt has disrupted his successful collaboration with Sunil Narine at the top of the order. Additionally, KKR’s last two matches were washouts, leaving Rahmanullah Gurbaz without any game time before the crucial playoff. Gurbaz hasn’t played a competitive match since mid-March, adding to the team’s concerns.
Hyderabad, under the leadership of Pat Cummins, have emerged as a well-coordinated unit this season. The opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head has consistently posed challenges for opposing teams, often leaving bowlers struggling. However, SRH’s spin bowling department has raised concerns, prompting considerations to reintroduce Aiden Markram instead of Vijayakanth Viyaskanth. Markram is an experienced player and his batting and bowling skills can come in handy at such a crucial part of the tournament.
KKR vs SRH, IPL 2024 Qualifier 1: When to watch?
The Qualifier 1 IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, May 21, starting at 7:30 pm IST.
KKR vs SRH, IPL 2024 Qualifier 1: Where to watch?
On TV:
The KKR vs SRH match will be telecasted live on Star Sports TV Channels.
Online:
The Tuesday match between Kolkata Knight Riders against Sunrisers Hyderabad will also be available for live streaming on the JioCinema app and its website.