Series: Indian Premier League, 2016 Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata Date & Time: May 04, 08:00 PM LOCAL
Marauding Knight Riders back to joust on home turf
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Dangerman: Kings Xi Punjab will be well served if someone like Glenn Maxwell, plays to his potential.
After travelling for nearly three weeks to play six away
matches in a row due to the West Bengal polls, Gautam Gambhir and his
men returned home to the Eden Gardens on Tuesday.
Slotted
second on the table with 10 points, two-time champion Kolkata Knight
Riders (KKR) will have the rare luxury of playing five of its remaining
six engagements in front of its passionate supporters. It would resume
its home leg against bottom-placed Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday.
This
season, KKR has enjoyed its balance and depth. Gambhir, who has been
leading from the front with a string of fine performances, seems to be
in complete command.
Apart from Gambhir, KKR has
relied on Robin Uthappa and Suryakumar Yadav to put up the runs on the
board. Yusuf Pathan rising to the challenge against Royal Challengers
Bangalore and Manish Pandey, who missed a few matches due to chicken
pox, getting fit should be a relief to the side.
Variety in bowling
KKR’s
strong point is its variety in bowling. Umesh Yadav and Morne Morkel
have served well in the pace department, while the experienced trio of
Piyush Chawla, Brad Hogg and Sunil Narine have bolstered the spin
section. Not to forget the utility all-rounder in Andre Russell, who has
made some crucial contributions picking up nine wickets and scoring 133
runs so far. The host, which was a guest in Mohali two weeks ago, will
enjoy the psychological advantage of taming KXIP in its backyard.
Nevertheless, KXIP looks determined to improve its performance.
Murali
Vijay, the team’s top run-getter, taking over as captain has augured
well for the side, which defeated Gujarat Lions to arrest its series of
losses.
KXIP might miss the services of an injured
Shaun Marsh but would make up for it if batsmen like Glenn Maxwell,
David Miller and Wriddhiman Saha realise their potential. Manan Vohra,
who has produced some good knocks, should provide some hope.
KXIP
bowlers exhibited their firepower against the Lions. Pacer Mohit
Sharma, who has achieved three-wicket hauls thrice, and left-arm spinner
Axar Patel, who captured four against the Lions, are in good touch,
while new ball bowler Sandeep Sharma has been consistent. KXIP would
wish its Australian pace ace Mitchell Johnson would make his presence
felt.
The underdog will be keen to collect another
win and may pose some serious challenges for KKR, which is playing its
fourth match in seven days.
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