Rajasthan Royals are the table-toppers with eight wins in the Indian Premier League IPL 2024. They have been magnificent in all departments of the game. However, former India players Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh feel Kolkata Knight Riders are the team to beat in the 17th season.
They commented after KKR defeated Mumbai Indians by 24 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. Kolkata had to wait for 12 years to register their first win in Mumbai. Despite posting 169 runs, the visitors bowled out the rivals for 145.
The pitches at the Wankhede Stadium are flat and it is a chasing ground but Mumbai batters failed in front of the KKR bowlers. Mitchell Starc, who was struggling for form, took 4 wickets. Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine chipped in with two scalps each.
MI are out of the playoff race after their eighth defeat. They have won just three contests in the ongoing season. On the other hand, KKR are certain of making it to the playoffs.
“They are the team to beat. According to me, Kolkata Knight Riders are better than Rajasthan Royals because of their spinners. The playoffs will be played in Chennai and Kolkata could dominate at Chepauk. All their players are in form including Mitchell Starc,” Harbhajan Singh said on Star Sports.
Irfan also lauded the Shreyas Iyer-led franchise. “KKR are the team to beat. They are getting stronger after every game. The win over Mumbai is a statment of dominance by the two-time champions. Their spinners are genuine wicker-takers,” Irfan Pathan said.