The playoffs race is still open with six teams vying for three spots. Only two teams have got their fates decided in the league. Mumbai Indians qualified for the playoffs yesterday and Chennai Super Kings were knocked with Rajasthan Royals winning the game on Sunday against Mumbai Indians. With the team still in contention, Kolkata Knight Riders are up against Chennai Super Kings in a crucial match of the season.
Kolkata Knight Riders lost their previous game on Monday against Kings XI Punjab and they find themselves in a spot of bother. The team is left with two games and win in both will not even assure the spot in the playoffs. Kolkata Knight Riders have their run rate in negative and should look to increase that too if they are to qualify for playoffs. The intriguing competition beckons for the side when they face Chennai Super Kings who are coming on the back of a victory.
Kolkata Knight Riders have problems aplenty. The batting order once again failed against Kings XI Punjab on the flat surface of Sharjah. They were reduced to 10/3 at the end of three overs. The team looked to settle down for a small total again until Eoin Morgan and Shubhman Gill took the proceedings into their own hands. The dismissal of Eoin Morgan once again reduced the run flow of Kolkata Knight Riders and the team settled for a small total.
Against Chennai Super Kings, they have to get their act together on Thursday if they are to win the game. Here are the top three picks for Kolkata Knight Riders at Dubai International Stadium:
#1) Lockie Ferguson
The Newzealand international brought the team back on their track against Sunrisers Hyderabad just to see his team getting restricted for a below-par 84 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their next match. Kolkata Knight Riders once again failed to get going against Kings XI Punjab despite Shubman Gill and Eoin Morgan exploding in the middle overs. Not only with the bowl, but Lockie Ferguson also has a big role to play with the bat against Chennai Super Kings.
With technology, you can now have a speed gun in your pocket📱
Check out Machine Road, the app Lockie Ferguson has been using at training to map his line, length, speed, and more 🔥#KKRHaiTaiyaar #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/gcko5NJt0E
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 28, 2020
In the limited game time, Lockie Ferguson has 43 runs and six wickets to his name at an effective economy of 5.93 runs per over. He will be one of the top three picks against veteran Chennai Super Kings.
#2) Dinesh Karthik
The Tamilnadu wicket-keeper batsman gave away his captaincy after he felt that the team is not able to perform up to the mark under his captaincy. However, the team has failed to pick up their form with multiple players being ruled out due to several issues. Against his home-based outfit, Dinesh Karthik has a big role to play and will be one of the top three picks for Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday.
After losing spot from the T20 side to Sanju Samson, Dinesh Karthik will look to impress the selectors ahead of the World Cup 2021. Can he get going against Chennai Super Kings?
#3) Eoin Morgan
The England skipper exploded and counter attacked the Kings XI Punjab bowlers when they seemed to be imposing. Eoin Morgan scored a quickfire 40 from 25 deliveries which consisted of five fours and two sixes. The player has a big role to play against CSK at Dubai International Stadium apart from his captaincy.
The qualification place is at stake for the Kolkata outfit. A loss against CSK will be a death blow for the side in their pursuit of the title. A big game indeed for KKR on Thursday.
