Kolkata Knight Riders will fancy their chances when they take on Kings X1 Punjab team, a team that is low on confidence. Knight Riders took the game deep and just stayed in-game to keep out triumphs rather comfortably in end against CSK. Rahul Tripathi has been a revelation for them. KKR would hope to get out more from Karthik, Morgan and Russell so that team could get extra 25-30 runs. Nitish Rana would want to capitalise on his starts and play long innings.
Not a bad record, eh? 😉
Let's make it 18 today! 💪🏼#KKRHaiTaiyaar #Dream11IPL #KXIPvKKR pic.twitter.com/q0Bw8lwv0h
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 10, 2020
Bowling looks good with youngsters Mavi, Chakravarthy and Nagarkoti looking good and getting better with every game. Cummins, Narine, Russell also have raised their hands when needed. With pitch getting slowed down during second innings KKR might use Narine in the second half of bowling, a play which went well in last game against CSK. Fielding also looks good with Nagarkoti, Shubam and other boundary riders doing well.
Moving to Kings X1 they are lying at bottom of the table and have managed to win an only single game in six matches. At halfway stage and it looks Kings X1 are yet to know their best X1. Rahul and Mayank are in top 5 run-getters but still, Kings are lying at 8th spot. Maxwell might miss out next game as he has not got going with the bat and which has also not helped Punjab’s cause.
Gayle might get a chance in next game at Maxwell’s cost and this will mean Mayank will shift down the order which will provide some stability to Punjab’s batting in the middle phase of innings. Pooran, Mandeep, will look to score quick and handy runs for their team. Their bowling at present lacks penetration. All bowlers have gone for runs and even if they have taken wickets it has been too late. They need to rethink their strategy and also take care of their death bowling.
Fielding also needs to be looked after as they drop some catches against Hyderabad which cost them at least 70-80 runs. If Gayle is fit he seems to be a certainty in playing X1 and KKR have to be wary of his exploits with the bat but will be able to fire in the first game and cope with heat that needs to be seen. Kings also should look to win the toss and bat first so that batsman can score without fear of run rate and bowlers then would put their hands up to stop KKR from chasing down.
It’s Kings team who have to answer a lot of questions and make all the right moves otherwise their journey will get from bad to worse. Looking at the stability of both teams, KKR looks clear favourites.
