IPL 9, Match 45 Preview: Kolkata Knight Riders face Supergiants in an exciting encounter

The Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to boost their morale when they face up to the Rising Pune Supergiants in the 45th match of IPL 9. However, as far as the MS Dhoni led franchise is concerned, they will be playing for pride more than anything else. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the bench strength tested with the likes of Ishwar Pandey, Irfan Pathan, Peter Handscombe, and Ankit Sharma getting a chance. For the Knight Riders, Gautam Gambhir will be hoping that his side gives a good account of themselves in what will seemingly be an inconsequential yet entertaining encounter at the Eden Gardens.

Team News-

Kolkata Knight Riders:

Despite the loss to the Gujarat Lions at home, the Kolkata Knight Riders are sitting pretty in fourth place on the table. However, the fact that the Mumbai Indians can still catch them has seen them in a bit of a pickle. This will ensure that an entertaining encounter is certainly on the cards.

Playing in front of their home crowd, the Knight Riders are expected to go unchanged from their previous outing. Brad Hogg is also expected to keep his place ahead of mystery spinner Sunil Narine. Continuity is the name of the game as far as the Knight Riders will be concerned as they aim to solidify their claim for the all-important playoffs spot.

The limelight will once again be on Yusuf Pathan. The 33-year old dasher from Baroda has managed to string some impressive performances with the bat following a few cameos in the initial few games. He will be expected to play an anchoring role along with West Indies power-hitting all-rounder Andre Russell. The latter has won 6 Man of the Match awards in the current edition of the IPL and will be a vital piece in the KKR jigsaw. In a nutshell, it is a well-oiled unit put out by the Knight Riders.

Rising Pune Supergiants:

A loss at the hands of the Sunrisers Hyderabad has seen the Rising Pune Supergiants fall out of contention for qualification to the playoffs. However, it hasn’t been all gloomy in the RPS camp this season. Although some question the tactics employed by MS Dhoni, the bowling has been particularly touchwood.

Evidence of that statement can be found in the fact that Adam Zampa took 6 wickets and conceded just 19 runs, concluding the second best bowling performance in IPL history in all it’s 9 seasons of existence. Ashok Dinda and RP Singh also bowled rather well, utilizing all their years of experience in churning put 8 economical overs for their side.

With all hopes of a playoffs spot reduced to nothing, the Supergiants will certainly be playing for pride. While they compete for their pride, MS Dhoni may well be tempted into testing the bench strength. The bench includes the likes of Ishwar Pandey, Irfan Pathan and Peter Handscombe who may be drafted into the side to prove themselves. The spotlight will be on Aussie duo George Bailey and Usman Khawaja as they attempt to find a sliver of light in a season overshadowed by a series of disappointing losses.

Probable XI-

Kolkata Knight Riders:

Gautam Gambhir (C), Robin Uthappa (wk), Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Brad Hogg, Umesh Yadav, Morne Morkel

Rising Pune Supergiants:

MS Dhoni (C/wk), Usman Khawaja, Ajinkya Rahane, George Bailey, Saurabh Tiwary, Thisara Perera, Ravichandran Ashwin, Adam Zampa, Rajat Bhatia/Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, Ashok Dinda

StAttack:

1. Adam Zampa’s six-wicket haul against the Sunrisers Hyderabad is the best figures in the ongoing edition of the IPL.

2. Andre Russell has picked up six Man of the Match awards for Knight Riders since IPL 2015.