Nathan Coulter-Nile doubtful for KKR vs MI, Suryakumar injured

As the Kolkata Knight Riders take on the table toppers Mumbai Indians in their last league game of the season, and also their last home game at the Eden Gardens, the hosts have been troubled with injuries to two players. While Nathan Coulter-Nile’s participation in the game is doubtful, Suryakumar Yadav picked up an injury while training.

Coulter-Nile has been one of the most relied upon players in the KKR camp. They had earlier rested him for a game owing to the pressure of the workload. Kolkata were in a pretty comfortable situation then but now the equation is a lot tougher. To be assured and safe they will have to win this game and that also gets them a place in the top 2.

NCN was not seen at practice on Friday when bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji was asked about his absence, he said: “It is up to the medical staff to decide so I will reserve my comment on that. Injury wise we are all safe.” Coulter-Nile was injured during KKR’s home game against Rising Pune Supergiant, and has played six matches so far and grabbed and 11 wickets.

Surya retired hurt

Suryakumar Yadav is enduring a lean patch this IPL, and was injured off a Trent Boult delivery and had to leave the field retired hurt. He has played eight games in this edition and has scored just 74 runs.

While Mumbai Indians have already qualified for the playoffs, the Kolkata Knight Riders are still in the hunt. They will have to win this match to turn their virtual playoff berth to a secured spot.

Openers Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine are in the form of their lives and have made up for Andre Russell’s absence this year. Gautam Gambhir apart from occasional failures has also been in good form, and middle order batsman Manish Pandey has chipped in with runs in all games.

KKR have won the title two times under Gambhir’s leadership, once in 2012 and then in 2014. They will be looking to win their third trophy this season. And with the kind of rotation policy they have adopted, it seems like KKR have got the hang of IPL quite well and may go on to lift the cup.