IPL 2019: Match 6, KKR vs KXIP, Preview – Controversial Kings run into aplomb Knight Riders in the City of Joy

At one point in time in their previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were looking down the barrel. But a hulk-like beast by the name of Andre Russell pulled his team out of the pits and scripted an improbable victory. Even their bowling did well after David Warner and Jonny Bairstow kept them at bay for a substantial part of the first innings.

Their task in the next game isn’t going to be easy by any means as they will lock horns against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), who are also coming off a victory against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, their first at the venue in six attempts. Nevertheless, that triumph was somewhat overshadowed by controversy, involving KXIP captain Ravi Ashwin and Royals’ batsman Jos Buttler.

Ashwin ‘Mankaded’ Buttler under controversial circumstances and the incident created a furor in the cricketing fraternity. Having received severe backlash, it will be interesting to see Ashwin’s approach in the next game in the City of Joy. As far as records are concerned, Punjab won three out 10 matches in Kolkata, the last of which came in the erstwhile edition by a comprehensive margin of nine wickets.

Team Combination

Kolkata Knight Riders

The Knights may not have the luxury of having Sunil Narine, who injured his finger in the last game. Englishman Joe Denly is likely to make his IPL debut. Shubman Gill may come up the order after his short, but calm-headed knock. Nitish Rana will continue to open with Chris Lynn. Andre Russell remains as the fulcrum of the side. Chawla, Krishna, Ferguson, and Kuldeep are the main bowlers.

Probable XI

Nitish Rana, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Shubman Gill, Dinesh Karthik (C & WK), Joe Denly, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Lockie Ferguson

Kings XI Punjab

Punjab are likely to bring in David Miller in place of Nicholas Pooran. Gayle and Rahul will continue to open the batting with Mayank Agarwal at number three. Sarfaraz Khan and Mandeep Singh are the men in the middle order. Curran and Ashwin are no mugs with the bat. Both will be needed to deliver with the ball as well. Rajpoot and Shami are the specialist pacers with Mujeeb being the spin-bowling option.

Probable XI

KL Rahul (WK), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh, David Miller, Sam Curran, Ravi Ashwin (C), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ankit Rajpoot, Mohammed Shami

Kings XI Punjab win the toss, opt to field

Focus will be on

Chris Lynn- Kolkata Knight Riders

The Queenslander has been an indispensable member of the KKR setup for at least the last two seasons. But he couldn’t step up in the opening encounter. After hitting Shakib Al Hasan over long-on for an over-boundary, he went for a shot, which looked ugly and gave his wicket away in the same over. The Knights would be hoping for their opener to make amends and get the team off to a decent start.

KL Rahul- Kings XI Punjab

Though the right-hander has strained at the highest level, he was expected to do well in the first match, bearing in mind his numbers in the last season. The 26-year-old hit a four through the covers off Dhawal Kulkarni but got out in the same over, knicking the leather to the keeper- Jos Buttler. Rahul has decent numbers, playing in Kolkata and he would be keen to get a decent knock under his belt.

Head to Head

Matches – 23 | KKR won – 15 | SRH won – 8 | NR – 0

At Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Matches – 10 | KKR won – 7 | SRH won – 3 | NR – 0

Stat Attack

54.4 – Chris Gayle’s batting average in the T20 format at the Eden Gardens. The Caribbean star scored 544 runs from 12 T20 innings with help of an unbeaten hundred and four fifties.

181.13 – Rahul’s batting S/R against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. He scored 192 runs from five IPL innings against them with help of three fifties and has an average of 48.

Broadcast Details

TV – Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi HD

Live Streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings – 20:00 IST

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