After falling to defeat despite scoring 202 in Chennai Super Kings’ homecoming, Kolkata Knight Riders will banking on the comforts of home themselves when they host Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens on Saturday (18:30).
Having swept aside Royal Challengers Bangalore at the same venue in their IPL opener, Dinesh Karthik and his men will have their task cut out against Kane Williamson’s Sunrisers who have won both their fixtures so far.
TALKING POINTS
NO TIME FOR REST IN THE IPL
On Thursday evening, the Sunrisers beat Mumbai Indians in a nail-biter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Less than 48 hours later, they will be playing at Eden Gardens in Kolkata as the matches keep coming thick and fast in the IPL.
This could put a question mark over the availability of their bowling spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar who had to miss Thursday’s clash against the Indians due to a sore back.
One the other hand, the Knight Riders’ last match was on Tuesday, providing them ample time to prepare for the clash.
SUNRISERS’ STRONG BOWLING
While the contrast between their two wins so far has been stark, there is one common theme to Sunrisers’ perfect start to the IPL. The bowling attack at Williamson’s disposal seems head and shoulders above those of the remaining sides.
Despite Bhuvneshwar’s absence on Friday, youngster Sandeep Sharma filled in seamlessly as the hosts restricted Mumbai to just 148 in their 20 overs.
Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has simply been a class act with the ball while Siddharth Kaul has been a revelation in the pace department. Add in Bangladesh ace Shakib Al Hasan and Aussie express pacer Billy Stanlake into mix and you have one of the most complete bowling units you will ever find.
PLAYERS IN FOCUS
While Kolkata have some excellent spinners in their ranks in the form of Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla, they seem to be a bit light in the pace department. Vinay Kumar was taken for 35 runs in just 11 deliveries in the defeat to Chennai and his poor showing could open the doors for either of India’s U19 World Cup winning pacers Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi.
Also in focus will be their opener Chris Lynn who has not yet fired in the two matches so far. The Australian left-hander is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the T20 game and if he gets into his zone, it will be difficult for even Hyderabad’s famed bowling attack to rein him in.
For Hyderabad, Shikhar Dhawan is looking in ominous form after two sparkling knocks and the tone he sets at the top could very well define Sunrisers’ innings.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Kolkata Knight Riders: Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (C, wk), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Mitchell Johnson, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Kamlesh Nagarkoti.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Shikhar Dhawan, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Kane Williamson (C), Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Deepak Hooda, Shakib Al Hasan, Rashid Khan, Siddharth Kaul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Billy Stanlake.
