Match Preview: KKR vs KXIP

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  • BIG PICTURE

    KKR start their home-leg with a match against Kings XI Punjab, a team which has not surprisingly failed to live up to expectations.

    Standing at the bottom of the points table, KXIP are on their way to do an encore of last year, when they had finished with the wooden spoon.

    After David Miller’s lack of intent as captain, Murali Vijay was asked to replace the South African. The Indian opener impressed in his first outing as captain, guiding his team to an upset against table toppers Gujarat Lions.

    However, there has been little to write about except Vijay’s form in the batting line-up. With the international imports like Glenn Maxwell and Miller having a disappointing season so far and the in-form Shaun Marsh having to pull out of the IPL due to injury, it will take a Herculean task for the team from Punjab to defeat the Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens.

    KKR, who were on a touring spree, playing six matches in the span of twenty days away from home, return with rejuvenated spirits after defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore in a close encounter. Five wins in their 8 games sees the Gautam Gambhir led side sitting pretty on second spot in the points table.

    Bolstered by the return of Manish Pandey, the KKR middle order wears a formidable look. A problem of plenty in the bowling front with a plethora of spinners in their ranks makes the Knights a well-balanced unit.

    KEY BATTLES

    Mohit Sharma vs Gautam Gambhir: Punjab’s most successful bowler against KKR’s most successful batsman this season. Mohit, with his back of the hand slower deliveries, has been the highest wicket taker for his team, with 10 wickets in 7 games. Gambhir, on the other hand, has been leading from the front, scoring 339 runs in 8 innings.

    Sharma’s variations on a slow pitch up against Gambhir, who is batting with a wider stance, might go a long way in deciding the course of the match.

    Sunil Narine vs Glenn Maxwell: Expected to be the mainstays of their respective teams, Sunil Narine and Glenn Maxwell have had a disappointing season, to say the least.

    Narine, with a remodelled action, no longer remains the mystery spinner who outfoxed the batsmen with his carom ball in the previous editions. With the opposition having unravelled his deliveries, which has made sweeping against him easier, the West Indian has managed only 4 wickets at an economy of 7.34.
    Maxwell is the other player who has failed to live up to his billing as a big match player. With not even hundred runs in 7 innings, the Aussie is turning into a liability for his team.

    With Narine being ineffective in the middle overs, Maxi has the perfect opportunity to get his old form back. Or will be a victim to the Mohawked bowler while attempting a reverse sweep? It remains to be seen.

    WATCH OUT FOR

    Murali Vijay faces a stiff challenge

    Hopes hinge completely on Murali Vijay’s performance with the bat

    Murali Vijay: The hopes of Punjab has hinged primarily on Murali Vijay, who with 198 runs in 7 innings, has been the highest run-getter for his team. With the Eden pitch likely to suit the slower bowlers, Vijay, a great player of spin, is likely to have a field day.

    EXPECTED XIs

    ‘Play at Edens, unleash the spinners’ will once again be the mantra for Gambhir. Expect a number of changes in the KKR line-up from the team that played in Begaluru, where only two spinners were fielded.

    Even though Shakib al Hasan has been off colour with both bat and ball, the Bangladeshi can replace Chris Lynn in a bid to strengthen the spin department. If the pitch is on the slower side, Kuldeep Yadav might replace Umesh Yadav, who had a night to forget against RCB. However, if there is a hint of grass, either Yadav or Jaydev Unadkat might get a place in the team.

    Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa (wk), Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Andre Russel, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sunil Narine, Morne Morkel, Piyush Chawla, Shakib al Hasan/ Brad Hogg, Umesh Yadav/ Kuldeep Yadav

    With the injury to Shaun Marsh, Farhan Behardien is expected to get a look in. Manan Vohra’s omission surprised many in the previous game against Gujarat Lions, considering he had been providing his team with great starts along with Vijay.

    Murali Vijay, Marcus Stoinis, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), David Miller, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Glenn Maxwell, Farhan Behardien, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, KC Cariappa, Sandeep Sharma 

    STRAIGHT FROM TWITTER

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