Trinbago Knight Riders vs Barbados Royals, CPL T20 2022, Today Match Prediction 14 September 2022

tkr vs br Match Prediction & Analysis

CPL 2022 now moves to Trinidad and the Knight Riders should be expecting a change of fortunes along with it. There are serious concerns in the TKR batting lineup given their failure to chase down 154 runs at a venue where teams batting second have an advantage. 

After a win in their opening match of the season, TKR won the toss and opted to bowl and once failed with the ball and twice with the bat. Such form when taking on a team that has won 5 matches on the trot is worrisome. 

Knight Riders may have the home advantage given the venue for the next leg of CPL 2022 but their out-of-form batting lineup makes things difficult wherever they play. 

Barbados Royals have used 7 bowlers in their last three matches and 5 of them have been among the wicket-takers every single time. The last time these two teams clashed, the Royals completely outplayed the Knight Riders.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Trinbago Knight Riders Preview

Looking at the TKR squad, it is appalling that the 4-time CPL title winners find themselves at the bottom in the points table. With just 1 win, 2 losses, and a match ending without a result, Knight Riders are in desperate need of a win to build momentum going ahead in the league.

The middle-order which consists of Colin Munro, Tim Seifert, and Nicholas Pooran was expected to deliver some match-winning knocks as all of these batters have experience and great abilities. If this wasn’t enough, the lower order also packs a strong punch with the likes of Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard whose finishing skills are well known. 

In spite of such a strong batting order, the opposition has managed to get through every time. The batting troubles were apparent in the first game itself where TKR had successfully chased down a total.

The bowlers may deliver some inspiring spells with regular breakthroughs and even manage to restrict a strong opposition like Barbados Royals to a par total. Yet, there is no alternative to a batting comeback from TKR if they are to register their second win of the season. Rampaul and Narine are among the reliable wicket-takers in this side while Khary Pierre and Russell will have to improve their bowling.

Trinbago Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI:

Tion Webster, Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Nicholas Pooran, Tim Seifert (wk), Shaaron Lewis, Kieron Pollard (c), Andre Russell, Khary Pierre, Ravi Rampaul, Akeal Hossein

Trinbago Knight Riders Actual Playing XI:

Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Colin Munro, Jayden Seales, Tim Seifert, Nicholas Pooran, Daryn Dupavillon, Seekkuge Prasanna, Sunil Narine, Tion Webster, Andre Russell

Barbados Royals Preview

The Royals, who finished at the bottom in the points table last year, have completely turned things around. They are the table toppers this season with 5 wins from 5 matches and are the top contenders to win the CPL 2022 title. 

Their recent run-chase showed some great maturity from their middle-order batters. After losing an early wicket in the run chase against Jamaica Tallawahs, Quinton de Kock and Corbin Bosch built a steady partnership of 117-runs for the second wicket. Halfway stage into the innings, these two had kicked the opposition out of the contest with only 76 runs needed off the last 10 overs and 9 wickets in hand. 

Corbin Bosch has scored two consecutive 50+ scores in the last two innings. The top 4 of the Barbados Royals lineup has consistently delivered results for the Royals. Except for Azam Khan, the rest of the top-order has seemed in great touch. David Miller can be a great option at number 4 with Khan following him at number 5.

The lower order features some big-hitting batters who can step up when the team requires a finisher. Jason Holder has played some good quick knocks lower down the order while Devon Thomas hasn’t found many opportunities to play given how the top and the middle order have scored the majority of runs for Barbados Royals.

The bowling is in great form with 5 of their 7 bowling options delivering consistent results. Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, and Obed McCoy will be the key bowlers to watch out for in the Royals' bowling attack.

Barbados Royals Predicted Playing XI:

Kyle Mayers, Quinton de Kock (wk), Corbin Bosch, Azam Khan, David Miller (c), Jason Holder, Devon Thomas, Hayden Walsh, Joshua Bishop, Obed McCoy, Oshane Thomas

Barbados Royals Actual Playing XI:

Ramon Simmonds, Obed McCoy, Quinton de Kock, Hayden Walsh, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, David Miller, Azam Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahkeem Cornwall

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Scattered thunderstorms are expected in Port of Spain on matchday with a high of 31 degrees Celsius. The pitch is generally batting-friendly but the scores in T20I and domestic T20s haven’t been very high.

Venue Details

Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad will be the venue for this match. The average 1st innings total here in the domestic T20s is 152 runs. In 33 of the total 46 T20s played here, the score has been in the range of 150-170 runs. Only 12 times have teams crossed the 170-run mark at this ground in T20s.

Toss: To Bowl

The decision to bowl or bat first after winning the toss would depend on the team that wins the toss. Royals would be comfortable chasing a total at any venue given the form they are in while Knight Riders would find it more convenient to put runs on the board and back their bowlers to defend the total. 

Teams batting second have won 25 of 46 T20 domestic matches at this venue. Whereas, in T20 internationals, teams batting second have won 3 of the 6 matches here. There is no clear advantage to either batting first or second and it will all come down to teams’ strengths when deciding whether to bat or bowl first.