TKR vs BR, Preview | Pooran vs Powell battle on cards with Knight Riders set to face Royals

‌The battle of the top teams are on the cards with the Caribbean Premier League’s most successful franchise, in Trinbago Knight Riders, set to face off against two-time champions Barbados Royals on Saturday at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. Apart from that, it will also be a contest between two leading run scorers for West Indies in T20I cricket set to face each other, with Nicholas Pooran leading the Trinidad franchise and Rovman Powell marshalling the troupes of the Royals in the upcoming fixture. The last time the two teams faced off against each other was in the eliminator of the 2024 edition, where the Royals had dominated them in a rain-affected game. However, unlike the last season, it is a different story for both teams in the current edition.

Though the Knights might have faced a disappointing loss in the last encounter, which ruined their chance for a fifth title, they have started this season very well with three wins and one loss in the four games they have played, which puts them third on the points table.  The last game saw them avenge their narrow eight-run loss against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons with a convincing eight-wicket win in the reverse fixture at home. The top performer in the game was Mohammad Amir with his incredible spell in the first innings, while Alex Hales and Keacy Carty gave great performances with the bat in the second innings.

The same cannot be said about the Royals, who are still looking for their first win in the tournament. The Barbados franchise opened their account with two narrow losses against the Falcons and the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in their first two games, and faced the wrath of the rain gods in their last encounter. Though they would be disappointed with their performances in the first half, they will be looking to make a comeback in the second half of the league stage and get back to the top.

Form Guide

The Knight Riders have been in great form so far, having won three of their last five matches in the tournament.

On the other hand, the Royals' recent form has been affected by their poor start to the tournament, having lost three of their last five games and a solitary win to their name.

Trinbago Knight Riders:  W W L W L

 Barbados Royals:  NR L L L W

Trinbago Knight Riders vs Barbados Royals Head-to-Head in T20s

The Knight Riders and the Royals have been playing each other since the start of the Caribbean Premier League, and it has been the Knights who have been dominant with 16 wins to their name in the 26 matches the two teams have featured in.

Trinbago Knight Riders 16 - 10 Barbados Royals

Pitch and Weather

The surface at the Brian Lara Stadium might has been known to be a tough surface for the batters with pacers getting some uneven bounce and seam movement off the surface, and the spinners also getting some grip and turn in the middle overs. Just like the last game, chasing will be ideal on this surface with the team bowling first getting an advantage to exploit the conditions early on and restrict the team to a chaseable score.

The weather in Trinidad is expected to be pleasant and breezy, with temperatures ranging from 18 °C to 19 °C. Though the conditions might be cloudy and overcast, the chances of rain are less. 

Team News

Both lineups are expected to go unchanged during the game, with the Knight Riders looking in good form, and the Royals will most likely go with the same playing eleven they chose in their previous rained-out game and test out the players who were not able to show their skills due to the called-off game. 

Trinbago Knight Riders Probable XI: Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Keacy Carty, Nicholas Pooran(c/wk), Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Amir, Ali Khan, McKenny Clarke.

Barbados Royals Probable XI: Brandon King, Quinton de Kock(wk), Kadeem Alleyne, Shaqkere Parris, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell(c), Eathan Bosch, Daniel Sams, Johann Layne, Jomel Warrican, Ramon Simmonds.

Broadcasting Platforms

The 16th game of the CPL between Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Royals will be digitally streamed on the Fancode app and website. The fans can also catch the action on television on the Star Sports Network at 5:30 am.