IPL 2018: RR vs KKR - 5 players to watch out for

Riding high on confidence after two back-to-back wins, Rajasthan Royals will look to consolidate their position in the top half of the Indian Premier League points table when they face off against the patchy Kolkata Knight Riders at their home ground, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, in Jaipur, on Wednesday.

After a nine-wicket drubbing at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals have bounced back in style to notch up successive victories against Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

With two wins and two losses in four games, Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, are placed second in the tally, with four points. Having their star bowler Michell Starc ruled out due to a leg injury, the two-time champions are struggling for consistency. However, they returned to winning ways with a thumping 71-run win over Delhi Daredevils at home.

As the two teams are raring to go against each other and continue their winning momentum, let us take a look at five players who are likely to play pivotal roles in this clash:

#5 Heinrich Klaasen

This year's leading run scorer of Big Bash League, D'Arcy Short, failed to live up to expectations as he just scored 21 runs in 3 matches for Rajasthan Royals, and it is likely that he could be replaced by Heinrich Klassen of South Africa.

The wicketkeeper-batsman has been signed by Rajasthan Royals for the eleventh edition of the IPL as a replacement for Steven Smith.

Klassen's impressive debut series against India made the world take notice of his skills. He was the only South African batsman who faced the Indian spin twins, Kuldeep Yadav and Yujvendra Chahal, confidently and with ease in that series.

He scored 92 runs in 3 innings at an average of 30.67 and a staggering strike rate of 190.67, in the recent T20 series against India.

Given the wide array of shots in his arsenal and his ability to tackle spinners, Klassen certainly can light up this IPL with his unorthodox, yet effective shots.